HARBOUR WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 218, 13 September 1892, Page 5

HARBOUR WORKS.

OUR BERTHAGE ACCOMMODATION.

EXTENSION OF QUEEN-STREET

WHARF.

At the meofcing of the Auckland Harbour Board this afternoon, considerable time was devoted to the consideration of the question oi the berthage accommodation for shipping in Auckland Harbour, and tho best methods of providing additional wharf accommodation, in connection with tho proposed extension and removal of the outer eastern tee of tho Queen-street Wharf. There i 3 considerable diversity of opinion amongst the members of the Board, Mr J. H. Witheford especially holding thab the aim of tho Board should be rather to bring the fihippiug close up into tho town instead of running long and costly wooden piers out into the stroam, only to be renewed every few years. Mr Witheford this afternoon brought up a motion to the effect that the Foreman of Works prepare a block plan of the berthage accommodation in the harbour, wifch a view to showing the manner in which the shipping berthage accommodation could be improved and broughb nearer to the foreshore. The Works and Tariff Commitbee of the Board this afternoon brought in the following clause amongst tbeir recommendations submitted to the Board :—" Thab Mr White's tender being the lowest for additions and repairs to fcho eastern toe of Queen-streeb Wharf, be accepted." At tho last meeting of the Board, when tenders were opened for this work, there was considerable discussion as to which was bhe cheapest tender of those received, taking them on tho schedule prices of material submitted. Mr White's tender is £7,871 16s 3d, which, with extras, will amounb to close on £10,000 for bhe whole work.

Tho following letter trom Mr R. Jenkinson, builder, of Park Roud, Auckland, in reference to harbour works, was read at to-day's meeting of tho Board : —"Seeing by tho papers that alternative tenders were called for the shed on No. 2 Jetty, I saw bhe plans bufc found it was only for wood or iron. 1 then thought I should try my method of building in concrete and iron againsb same, hence the accompanying plans and specifications which I respectfully submit to your Board, and iv doing so wish to again remind you of my previous letters aud plans respecbing decayed piles. The eaid piles I have no hesitation in stating can be roplaced wibh concrebed columns ab the same cost as to do so in wood, bub with a very differenli result, as the concrete columns would bo of a permanent nature. I do nob speak as a novice in such mabters, bub as a man of considerable experience. My works in Auckland are my besb recommendations." Accompanying his letter, Mr Jenkinson forwarded carefully-con-structed plans, showing his designs for concrete and iron goods sheds, comparatively fire-proof. Mr John Goodall, C.E., of Park Road, Auckland, has written to the Auckland Harbour Board offering his services to the Board as engineer in connection with the proposed wharf extension and renewal works, or as permanent Board engineer: Mr John Boylan, C.E... of this city, and Mr Leslie 11. Reynolds, C.E., of Wellington, also offer their services to the Board in a similar capacity.