Lautoka is One Step

Nearer a New Wharf

AFTER deliberations lasting over a period of years, a site for a new wharf at Lautoka, Fiji has been decided upon. It now is only a matter of finance, materials and time before the town has what it has been seeking for a decade.

The new wharf will be adjacent to the existing Colonial Sugar Refining Co. wharf which is a considerable way from the town. There are already facilities in this area for small ships and cranes for unloading lighters. The decision to put it here was not unanimous, however—the alternative scheme of putting the new wharf near the town at Namoli was favoured by the Lautoka Chamber )f Commerce, the Indian Chamber )f Commerce, Rate-payers’ Associa ion and Bums Philp (S.S.) Ltd.

The CSR Co., Town Board, Gold nining Companies, Union Steamship Do., Morris Hedstrom, Millers and *acific Shipowners Ltd., wanted it vhere is has now been decided to mild it.

The new wharf when completed dll be 450 feet long, 80 feet wide nd served by a mole and a jetty. It

is estimated to cost £.200,000, which is considerably less than that of the original plan for a more elaborate structure.

The present wharf at Lautoka is owned by the CSR Co. It is too small for the working of overseas ships—usually only two hatches can be worked onto the wharf and the rest have to be worked into lighters.

CSR ships have priority at this wharf and if a CSR ship comes into port while another ship is discharg ing, the latter must move off to allow the Company ship to tie up.

Consequently shipowners are not anxious to discharge cargo at Lautoka which is a serious incon venience to the rich nothern districts of Viti Levu.