HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 124, 3 June 1885, Page 2

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Proposals by tho New Harbour

Engineer.

At tho meeting of tho Harbour Hoard yesterday afternoon, a lengthy report on proposed harbour improvements was submitted by Mr John McGregor, tho newly-appointed Harbour Enginoor. Ho made a number of recommendations respecting proposed and existing works, and then proceeded:— Before submitting definite recommendations on tho subject of wharf and shed accommodation, I am of opinion that a general plan of harbour improvements should be considered, and that all future estimates of wharves and shipping facilities generally should form part of a clearly defined scheme for tho conservation and improvement of the harbour as a whole At present I can only indicate briofly the direction in which I think the Auckland Harbour should bo dealt with for tho purpose of converting it into one of tho best commercial harbours in theso colonies, capable of accommodating the modern type of Jocean-going steamers, in addition to the great variety of sailing ships and steamers that must always continue to bo used in the coasting and intercolonial trade of Now Zealand. With the above object in view, a permanent quay frontage line should bo laid down on the south side of the Auckland Harbour, starting from Okahu Point, with a slight concave curve towards the sea, to a point nearly opposite Resolution Point; from thence along the 4J fathom depth in a straight line up the harbour to a point opposite Freeman's Ray, and from thence by a slight convex curve to join the projecting reef opposite Ponsonby Point, The eastern and western ends of this fiontago in shallow water should be formed of half-tide training walls, only, but the straight line from opposite Resolution Point to the spit at the western side of Freeman's Bay could be made a very fine wharf frontage, with an avorage depth of 25 feet along the whole length of 13,200 Hn. feet at low water. Behind this main quay, an eastern, central, and western tidal basin would be formed, enclosing the natural bays along the foreshore, and provided with such wharves, jottios, cranes, and goodß sheds as the trade of the port from time to time required. I have no hesitation in saying that the most important work for improving Auckland harbour is the establishment of the frontage lino sketched out in this report, Nearly all the works at prcsentedconstructed in the harbourare projected from the foreshore at right angles to the ebb and flood tides, interrupting the currents that should bo made to do useful work in scouring and maintaining deepwater berths along a training wall and quay frontage following approximately the natural configuration of the harbour, and. guiding the currents instead of intercepting them. The present railway approach to the port of Auckland does not encourage extension of tidal basins and deep-water 1 wharves to the eastward of Mechanics' Bay, but if ever the'railway comes round by Hobson's Bay, entering the city from the eastern end, the conditions would be completely altered, and the railway connect tions to the wharves, jetties, ond goodssheds could then be made very perfect at this end of the harbour. Before the next Board meeting I hope to be able to submit a general plan showing definitely the line of quay frontage that, in my opinion, should be adopted, the areas of tidal basins, the positions of the entrances, extent of wharf accommodation with available depths of watef. and such reclamation works as may be found absslutely necessary for railway and road approaches." Amongst other improvements, Mr McGregor recommends that the steam ferry tee should consist of a floating pontoon oonnected by means of a hinged bridge, and rising and falling with the tide. Its position should be between Queen-street wharf and the proposed No 1 jetty. Estimated cost, £2!.5. 'Two jetties are proposed from Quay-street, one being 400 feet long and 70 feet wide, and the othor 30 feot long by GO feet wide.