Port Of Suva

Alternative Plans for Wharves

i has passed since the January'hurricane created havoc in the port of Suva, and partially destroyed the King’s Wharf &nd the principal docking area; arid shipping and cargo have bben handled under considerable difficulties ever since.

Only ’ temporary repairs were made because it was decided to turn adversity to advantage by re surveying the docks which, experi ence had shown, had not been so well planned and located as they might have been.

The main wharf now parallels the shore and, when big ships lie beside it, and the prevailing south

easter is blowing them strongly against the dockside, there is con siderable difficulty in getting them clear, and out into the harbour.

Other critics say that the wharves should not run parallel with the shore, but at right angles—it makes for easier berthing.

The Government formed an ad visory committee of all the interests concerned, and brought in a Lon ron firm of consulting engineers, Messrs. Wilton and Bell; and a series of alternative plans have taken shape.

One proposal is that the present King’s Wharf be rebuilt, but on a line 30 feet further out, and pro viding a deep-water berth around the western corner, on the side fac ing Walu Bay.

More elaborate plans provide that the present wharf area be mostly abandoned, and the deep-water wharves for ships be constructed further west, on the western side of Walu Bay, where the Public Works and various other similar in stallations now are located. It is proposed also to build slipways for small ships.

The King’s Wharf rebuilding would cost around £1,000,000, while

either of the other (Walu Bas plans would probably run in £1,500,000; and to that must added the cost of removing mas workshops and similar installation Consultations are now proceeds and it is hoped that a decision w be reached early this year.