LACK OF A HARBOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3558, 25 June 1912, Page 3

LACK OF A HARBOUR.

OUTER OR INNER CONSTRUCTION

POLICY,

GENERAL PROPOSAL NEGATIVED. ■ . L

ENGINEER ASKED TO REPORT ON AN INNER HARBOR.

The policy to be pursued with regard to harbor construction was once more before the Harbor Board at its meeting yesterday. Th© subject was introduced' by Mr A Sawyer, who, in terms of his notice o'f motion given at the previous meeting, moved: — ■ ; “That the Engineer be instructed . to furnish a comprehensive scheme, with plans and estimates for the dc 7 velopment of the river to its utmost capacity, and for an outer harbor suitable for sheltering ocean-going, vessels.”

.Mr Sawyer, in speaking to liis motion, said the Board was entitled to know what the cost of improvement to the river was likely to run into. With regard to the outer harbor, what had happened the previous evening was a strong argument in favor of such a report as he asked for .being supplied. Mr. .Brown seconded the motion, remarking that their present Engineercoukl supply a more valuable report than any the Board had yet had. Mr Holden remarked that the Board had had numbers of reports on outer harbor schemes, and it would be a waste of the Engineer’s time to prepare another. He was entirely Opposed to any move, time, or money being wasted on reports. Mr Sherratt said he had no objection to the Engineer preparing a report on river improvement, but was opposed to any report on an order harbor at the present juncture. Cr. Collins supported the motion. The policy of the Board in the future, lie contended, must lie in either the development of the river or an outer harbor. It was the duty of the Board to lay down a policy for the Engineer. At present the Board was simply marking time, and was in entire ignorance of its own policy. The time had arrived to have some defined policy laid down, and the only way to do this was to get comprehensive reports on both the extension of the river harbor and on an outer harbor scheme, and contrast one with the other- There were many important: works in connection with the development of the river, if that was the course the Board intended to pursue. They would have to consider the locking of the river, the building of a .swing basin,,and the establishment of .a daily ferry service with Napier. The Engineer had not as yet given the Beard a little of data- with regard to the improvement of tlfe river. Cr. Sawyer, with others, wanted to know what the definite future policy of the Board-was to Jbe. The only good' argument the Board could have for going in for a river development scheme was to produce data that an outer harbor scheme was impracticable. Every qestion of policy that cropped up before the Board’rested on the basis of outer or inner harbor. The Engineer in his ,duties was considerably hampered through not knowing the policy of the Board on tire subject. He (the speaker) had waited for years for some defined policy. The confused policy of the Board in. the past- had resulted in chaos, and such reports as the motion asked for would let the Board know where it stood. Mr White said the Board should have some definite scheme laid down for the improvement of the river, but be held that the Engineer had not been here long enough to give an opinion on an outer harbor scheme, it would ho wise if the Engineer gave a report on an inner harbor scheme. He favored reports from the best engineering advice being obtained on harbor construction. The Engineer had not time' to prepare reports .at present, hut he saw no reason why lie should not supply the report asked for when time permitted. Mr Sawyer said that he only wanted the report when the Engineer had time to prepare it, say, during the next six months. Mr Wachsmann -pointed out that elaborate plans had been made out for an outer harbor, and they had had expert advice.on that subject, but he did not think they should consider the outer barber scheme until they were in a financial position to carry the work out. Mr Brown thought _.the Engineer should he -consulted in order to .ascertain whether he had time to prepare the report. Air Holden said he would support a motion asking for a report on the question of developing the inner harbor. • They had had plenty of advice relative,to the outer harbor. Mr'''Sherratt said that all that was needed was a report on an inner harbor. If a further report were required on the outer harbor scheme they should get the best expert advice available and pay for it instead of loading up the Engineer. Air Witters opposed the motion because it included an outer harbor. They did not want to waste the time- of their Engineer in preparing a report on that question when they had no money to snencl on it. Captain Entwistle of the Victoria had said that be would sooner anchor out in the Bay than come into a harbor such as that Mr Holmes recommended. The vessel drew 24ft of water and tat times there would only be loft of water in the harbor, and he would have tp have three new bottoms a year put in the steamer if he fc-anle inside. Mr White also recommended that the Board-should get the best expert advice procurable.,if an outer harbor were proposed, but at present xliey should confine themselves to the question of the development of an irin*-r harbor and lie proposed to move in that direction later. Th c Chairman pointed out that the outer harbor scheme would cost many hundreds of pounds, and the- Engineer had his hands full at present. He ' asked if th© Board' had no definite policy in getting the dredger. This was the most definite argument they could have as to policy. The dredger was there doing its work. Dr. Collins: Temporarily. The Chairman : Permanently. Continuing, the Chairman pointed out that tine Alani had taken rock out of the river permanently. At present they had no money to do this work. He regretted very much that the serious accident which had, taken place in the Bay the previous night. This was .the-,first serious accident they had had in the Bay. The Board had no funds to carry out the work of, making an outer harbor. They could ask tho Engineer to give the report, hut he understood the Engineer had I no time- to prepare itAir White: Give him time.

! Tire Chairman pointed out that the -, Borough Council required £27,000 a | year in rates and the people would i have to be prepared to stand another j £IO,OOO on that if they wanted an [ outer harbor. He pointed out that the goods were being lightered mere cheaply than if they had an outer harbor . The borough was well served at present, and lie instanced Napier 'aa an example of an outer harbor. Tinnaru also- required £30,000 in revenue to maintain their harbor.The best course would be to- let the Engineer report on an inner- harbor. Cr. Collins pointed out that the motion was out of order, and, said that on March 2d last he had' moved for the Engineer to report on Air Holmes’ scheme (and also Captain 'Sewell’s plans and the Board had agreed to this, but the report had not come to hand. They therefore could not move for a similar report again until the first one was supplied. , The Chairman overruled -this objection.

The Engineer pointed out that tlys is really a- matter of policy. He said that the motion was brought up in its present form on his advice. The Engineer would be called upon to report on an inner and an outer harbor, and if possible on a joint inner and outer harbor. He would go into the matter of a joint harbor with a com--pleto and 1 final scheme in view, hut in 20 or 30 years this might not be carried out if the revenue did not justify it. There should be a complete scheme before the Board, including everything required for the maximum development of the district and everything that was done should he par} of .that sdheime. It was impossible to do 'anything in the matter till the summer months, so that lie could check the measurements. He had to go through every detail before be could criticise the schemes submitted to the Board. His own opinion was that it would be wise to let the motion go through as it was, as it gave him a free hand to report on a comprehensive scheme. When he gave liis report he would have to estimate the cost of the work and see it carried through. Therefore any information he gave, he would have to be certain cf before he put his name to the report- Ho was not prepared to do the work hurriedly, and he ■would need time to, get the soundings and borings before lie could give an estimate. He pointed out that -if they got expert advice from outside they would have to supply the engineer with data. He had found Air Holmes’ measurements somewhat out when lie went- into the matter. The motion was lost.

Air White then moved that the Engineer be asked to supply a report on the development of the inner harbor to-its utmost capacity. Air Witters seconded this, rvliieh. was carried.