THE RIVER CHANNEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2164, 13 April 1908, Page 2

THE RIVER CHANNEL.

EURU AND TUATJSA TAKE THE GROUND. Tho recent flood, which brought down much silt, has had a vory detrimental effect upon the channel, and much iuconvonienco has been caused to.shipping during tho last low days. Tho s.s. Euru on Saturday morning was unable to como in on an ebb tide, •and had to anchor in tho bay. On a threo-quartor flood tide, however, slio was more successful, and safely negotiated tho channel, but on coming to tho wharf sho again got aground, and considerable difficulty was experienced in getting her alongside. Thon, again, yestorday, the Union Company, in anticipation of tho arrival of tho Auckland steamer, had tho Tuutoa shifted from hor usual berth to a position further down the wharf, in order to obviato any possibility of delay, but when sho attempted to leave tho wharf on tho arrival of tho steamer it was ascertained that sho was aground, and a delay of twenty minutes occurred in getting her away. Coming in on a two hours’ flood tide, Captain Hawke endeavored to berth tho vessel at tho usual plaeo, but onco more sho got fast when just alongside, and remained immovablo. A gangway was run out, however, and just roaclied tho vessel, and after a further delay of about fifteen minutes the passengers wero landed at about 10.20 p.m. Loud complaints were made by the local manager of the Union Company, who considers that, although the silting is of course unforeseen and unavoidable, dredging should certainly bo carried out, oven at night, if necessary, to enable the vessels to bo berthed at tho wharf without inconvenience. Ho further stated that tho position was particularly annoying, both in view of the heavy port charges which aro made, and also in view of the fact that the company aro now sparing nothing in their efforts to got tho passengers despatched and landed with promptitude.