Development Plan
p. 44 · Read in the full issue
Storm Over
Apia Port
Critics Assail Development Plan
PROPOSALS for the development of Apia’s harbour at the present time have aroused public critic ism, the critics arguing: • Companies with ships calling at Apia are completely satisfied with the present lighterage and turn round of vessels. • The Government’s financial position is unsatisfactory and ex penditure for essentials such as health, education, roads and water supply is increasing. • The scheme would deprive the Government of much current revenue for a long time.
The Executive Council recently debated the building of a deep-sea wharf and the general development of the port. It was considered that if an American firm, whose repre sentative visited Western Samoa re cently (PIM, July, p. 47), made a definite offer it would be “one of the strongest expressions of faith in the future economic prosperity of the Territory. . .’’
The firm tentatively offered to finance and construct a complete
port with full on-shore handling facilities. In return, the constructors would collect for a period of years all port proceeds such as port fees and lighterage charges. After that time the Government would get the entire installation as a going con cern, whether the constructors had recouped their costs or not.
t Inspector A. L. Phillip, of Western Samoa Police, complel a special police course in New Z land, returned to Apia by TI early September to take up Inis ] post as superintendent in chargj the Western Samoa Police. He born in Texas and has been a mi ber of the force for 18 years.