WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1899. OUR WHARFAGE ACCOMMODATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 56, 8 March 1899, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1899.

OUR WHARFAGE ACCOMMODATION.

Discussions such as that which took place at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon on the question of the wharfage accommodation in this port will continue to be frequent so long as that accommodation is not radically improved. The arrival, of the large new screw, steamer from London has emphasised the inadequacy of the provision made here for vessels of. her class. As the Harbour Master pointed out in his communication to the Board,, the. Papanui has a draught of 23 feet 8 inches when empty, and of 28 feet when loaded, and she is. typical of the new vessels which are destined to play a very large part in the carrying trade of the colony in the immediate future. To "float such a ship' with perfect safety, when fully loaded, at least 30 feet of water is requisite, and at our best berthing place there is only 2G feet 0 inches available. Fortunately, the Papanui only takes part of her cargo on board here, and goes South for the rest, otherwise the position would have been very serious. The Harbour Board would have looked very foolish indeed if the vessel had arranged to make Auckland her last port of call instead of her first, and the prestige of the place would have been greatly damaged. It would go a long way to detract from the reputation of our magnificent harbour, of which we are so justly proud, were the report to get abroad that a merchant steamer from the Old Country

had been unable to get alongside our wharves. And it is certain that the report, twisted and contorted to our further disadvantage,,would be quickly circulated far and wide, for we are assuredly not without envious rivals. Mr Napier was right when he said that the Board had almost" been caught napping. Let us trust that the narrow escape which the port has had from being made a laughing stock will be taken to heart by the Board. From all accounts, we are sure in the future to be required to provide suitable berthage accommodation for vessels drawing as much water as the Papanui, and it is quite evident that the work must be set about at once. It is equally evident to everybody that our present system of wharfage is a huge and costly mistake. Its development was no doubt unavoidable up to a certain point, but we consider that many years ago the time had arrived for breaking away from the mistaken policy that had been so long pursued. At all events, it is high time now that a new system of wharfage should be initiated. : One quite agrees with the Chairman that.it is impossible at one fell swoop to clo away with the old condition of things and put the new in its place, but the Board should certainly bethink itself how the new can be grafted into the old and gradually supplant it. No doubt the difficulties in the way of such a partial and gradual reform are by no means easy to overcome, but it is plain to the merest tyro in these matters that eventually they must be overcome if the port of Auckland is to maintain its position, and the wharfage accommodation is not to continue a perpetual inconvenience to shippers and importers, and a heavy drain on the annual revenues of the Board. Mr Witheford, who recently returned from an extended tour, and took an interest in the accommodation provided at the various ports, told his fellow-members on the Board yesterday what his opinion was of these long wooden wharves which we have thrown out into the harbour. Men who have not had the benefit of Mr Witheford's experience may easily share his views, for the inconvenient, and uneconomical character of the present structure is a self-evident fact to all. What is wanted is, of course, that the shipping should be brought closer up to the town, thus doing away with the necessity for maintaining a long approach to the deep water, and also obviating the loss of time which merchants have to put up with under the present arrangements. It seems quite possible to pursue a policy that would gradually make for this end without the Board incurring the large expense that would be necessary in order to reach it immediately. That policy consists in a carefully planned system of dredging, so as to deepen the berthage accommodation nearer in shore. 'To this we., are aware- objections may be raised; and the plan is probably not free from objections. But it seems to us the most feasible, and at least it has so much to recommend it that it should have a preferential claim on the attention of the Board and merit thorough investigation. p]very time that we hear of fresh sums being voted for the maintenance of the old wooden structure we think of the money as being virtually thrown into the sea. It is proposed now, we undertsand, to spend some £3,000 in replacing old piles, etc., but we would not .be surprised if a much larger amount will be necessary if a very searching examination of the wharves is made. How long are these outlays to continue? Evidently for ever if no attempt is made to get out of the old groove. When shall we have a Board with sufficient initiative and energy to break the fetters of the old regime and enter boldly on the new?

Lady Ranfnrly, Lady Constance Knox, and Lady Eileen Knox leave by the express train to-morrow morning on avisit to Rotorua. Amongst the contemplated changes in the Justice Department it is probable that Mr Northcroft, S.M., will be transferred to Auckland, and Mr Brabant, S.M*., to Palmerston North.We understand that both these gentlemen are favourable to the change. A double cottage in Victoria street West, owned by J. W. James, builder, of Mt. Albert, 'caught fire last night, shortly after midnight. The city brigade, and the Salvage Corps turned out promptly, and with the aid of a g-ood pressure" of water quickly suppressed the fire. The outbreak, which has mysterious features, was discovered by a Mr Colthurst, a lodger at the adjoining house. As he was returning home from work he noticed a glare in the back yard of Mr Janies' cottage, which was unoccupied, and on going to the rear of the house he found the back door, open, and some sacking burning just inside. The fire had run up the lining of the. wall, and had too strong ahold for him to suppress it -with water from the pipe. Mr Colthurst accordingly gave the alarm. The building Was uninsured. The damage is estimated at about £ 100. . At"the Police Court to-day, before Messrs. J. Gordon and A .Clements, J.P.s, two first offending 'drunks' were convicted and discharged. Wm. Simpson, charged with using threatening language towards Sarah Simpson, was bound over to keep the peace in his own recognizance and one surety of £50, and was ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings, amounting to &1 13/. Walter Pitcher was fined 1/ and costs for allowing his horse to trot round a street corner. John Harris, charged with cruelly ill-treating a horse, was remanded on bail to Papakura. A lad named- Stephens .aged 15, had an arm broken and dislocated at Cameron's corner, Lake , Takapuna, this morning, by a fall from, his horse. His injuries were attended to by Dr. Roberton.

A private telegram received in town from Wanganui states that the Auckland horse Swordfish 11. has split his Major-General Hector A. McDonald the hero of Omdurmau, has accepted an invitation irom the Gaelic Society of London to a complimentary banquet, at which he will be presented with a sword of honour. Since the invitation was issued it has been decided that the banquet will be-hew under the joint auspices of all the Highland societies established m Loudon. General McDonald is not expected in Great Britain before next May, and any of his countrymen resident in the colony who wish to be associated with the Highland societies in London in contributing to the presentation fund should communicate with the honorary secretaries, Messrs T. Bogle and W A. Martin, 91, Palmerston Buildings. Old Broad St.. London. The Gaelic Society of London has been in existence over 12a years, and its objects are the preservation of the language, music, poetry. and literature ol* the. Highlands ot Scotland, and the cognisance of matters of special interest to Highlanders. Its offices are at the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall. 1. Crane Court, Fleet, street, London; Mr W. A. Martin, honorary secretary. There are some excellent pictures of the Yacht Club's picnic, in this week's issue of the 'Graphic' The groups on the Lake Beach, the yachts at anchor, and the sports, notably the greasy boom, afforded some excellent opportunities for the camera, and the artist has been happy in his selection of subjects. Views of the Ohinemuri Rifles in camp are interesting as showing- the growth of the volunteeringspirit in our country districts. The dramatic pictures illustrative of Edmund Rose and Stanley Weymfjn's great play 'Under The Red Robe' are beautiful specimens of the engraver's art. .The issue contains a very attractive article giving the latest results in micrography. This adaptation of photography has been in use for some time at Home, but the specimens of work produced by the 'Graphic' are as fine as anything we have seen in the magazines from the Old Country. They are taken from photographs just, arrived from England. Miscellaneous illustrations, cartoonlets, cartoon and illustrated topics of the week make up the remainder of the pictorial matter in the paper. The reading portion has the usual stories, articles, sketches, notes and notions, social gossip, ladies' pages, children's columns, work columns, etc. Admiral Field, C.8., M.P., writing to Mr Witheford by the Vancouver mail, speaks in kind terms of the work done. -He says: 'I have read the interesting report you kindly sent of your arrival; it was very flattering and richly deserved. Your attendance at Harbour Board, and reception was good and cordial, and all you said was absolutely true. They were idiots! not to give you a free hand when the dock question was ripe for settlement. It was entirely due to the First Sea Lord and Controller that the grant in aid per annum was offered and practically promised. I know for a fact that "the civil element at Admiralty were opposed to it; but Sir F. Richards put his foot down in its favour.' It will be remembered that Admiral Field, as a member of the House of Commons, actively assisted Mr Witheford in connection with the Calliope Dock proposals.

By the Vancouver mail to hand today letters were received by Mr J. St. Clair from America, stating that the good services of the International Brotherhood League had been recognised by the United States Government, and facilities were being offered for the League to extend its work in Cuba, the result. Of which has been that Mrs Katherine A. Tingley, leader and organiser of the movement; P. M. Pierce, the general secretary; Dr. Herbert Coryn, Messrs Ayres* Leslie, and Miss Lloyd have sailed for Santiago de Cuba with a large supply of provisions, medicines, and hospital requisites to nurse and render aid to sick and wQuhded soldiers of both the United States and Spanish armies. After establishing the work of the International Brotherhood League in Cuba, Mrs Tingley returns to California to take part in a congress of delegates from all parts of the world; which is to meet at the school for the revival of the Lost Mysteries of Antiquity, Point Loma, San Diego, on the 13th April next.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the New Zealand Literary Association was held yesterday afternoon in Mr Ewington's office. Present: — Messrs Ewingtou (in the chair), Mackechnie, Baume, St. Clair, Hight, Mahon, Keesing, Belworthy,, Cottle, and Miss Moor. A letter was read from the editor of the 'Bulletin,' stating that Miss Wilcox had handed him a circular, and that he had mentioned the Association in the 'Bookfellow,' and would do what he could to forward the movement. Several new members were elected. Miss Home and Miss Chrystal were elected members of the working committee. The chairman informed the meeting that the question of the secretary's salary was at his request deferred for the present. Mr St. Clair then brought forward his motion, which had been tabled at the last meeting, that the. tile of the Association be amended to read 'The New Zealand Literary

and Historical Association,' which was carried after discussion. The secretary mentioned that the number of members on the roll was now 87, and with the co-operation of the committee there was no doubt by the next'fortnightly meeting it would be over . 100, in which case a general meeting would at once be called, officers elected, and the business' of the Association duly proceeded with.

The question of granting the Auckland Prohibition and Temperance League the use of a vacant allotment at. the corner.of Quay and Queen streets for a lecture by Dr. Hosking on Saturday night came before the members of the Harbour Board yesterday. Mr Napier' (the Chairman) explained that the request in the first instance-was for March 7 and 8. As Dr.- Hosking had since delivered a rather inflammatory lecture, he did not grant the request, thinking it better to leave the Board to judge whether they should grant an allotment to a gentleman who had slandered the community. Mr Philson pointed out the Board granted allotments to merry-go-rounds and amusements of that nature, and he did not think they eohld refuse in this case. Mr Gunson spoke in favour of the ap^ plication being granted. Mr Witheford advocated a charge for the use of the allotment. On division it was agreed to grant the request of the Prohibition League.

Dr. Hosking gives a limelight lecture in the Tabernacle grounds -this evening on 'Bone, Brain, Blood, and Beer.'

The Governor in Council has prohibited the exportation ot rock o } sters from the colony. The action ot the Governor was taken owing o the great depletion of the beds cause, by export last year, it being con Slerecfthat the beds would soon be, exhausted. The open season ioi 03 sters begins on the first ot next month. To the Editor.-Sir.--I see by jour paper that Messrs Andrew have taken over the Mount Roskill 'buses Do you not. think that now is the time for our public 'buses to be distmg.shable at night as in any other cities of importance? Why not use coloured o-lass on the lamps, thus clea.rly showing which are Mount Eden or Mount Boskill 'buses?—l am, etc., H.. Hood. , A passage-at-arms took place at the Harbour Board meeting yesterday between the present chairman, Mr Napier, and the late chairman, Mr M. Niccol. The latter stated that painting was being done at the wharves, and he wished to know who authorised it, Mr Napier said nothing was going on except the ordinary maintenance- of the Board's property, and that the Board could not be called together every day to attend to matters of ordinary'maintenance. Mr Gunson wanted to know how far the work was to be carried on without the sanction of the Board, whereupon Air Napier promptly replied that so long as he was chairman of the Board the. whole of the works would be maintained. The work was being done at schedule price, and the paint was supplied by the Board and obtained at contract price. The matter dropped by_ Mr Niccol explaining that he brought up the matter to prevent work beingdone without the authority of the Board. A farewell sacred concert was tendered to Bishop Lenihan last evening by the choir and orchestra of St. Patrick's Cathedral, in view of his approaching visit to Europe. There Avas a crowded attendance, amongst those present being the Bishop and many of the Roman Catholic clergy. The music rendered by the choir included the chorus 'Gloria,' in which the solos wei-e taken by Madame Casier, Mrs Hiscocks, Mons. Casier, and Messrs T. Lonergan and Parrish; the Benediction service, 'O Salutaris,' 'Tantum Ergo,' 'Adoremus,' and 'Laudate'; 'Cantnibus Organio,' bj r a chorus of ladies' voices, with tenor solo by Mons. Casier; and in conclusion the 'Magnificat,' rendered with impressive effect by the full choir and orchestra. Every item was rendered in an artistic manner, and the choruses were admirable for precision and attack. Special mention must be made of the 'Benediction Service,' composed by the Rev. Father Kehoe, of St. John's, Parnell. It is rich is devotional and musical effects, and shows the composer possesses the genius of a true artist. Mr Hiscocks, the conductor, is to be congratulated upon the great success of the choir. Sacred solos were given with success by Misses Coleta Lorrigan, Marie Quinn, Conway, and Kate LotteTg.an, Madame Casier, and Mr A. G. Murphy; while violin obligatos to several of the solos w rere admirably played by Mr Hiscocks and Master H. Hiscocks. The organist, Mr J. Hartwell, contributed two organ solos, proving himself a master of the fine three-manual organ over which he presides; and a trio was sung With pleasing effect by Miss Coleta Lorrigan, Mrs Hiscocks and Mons. Casier. During the interval a collection was made in aid of a- testimonial to the Bishop. The Autumn Carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club is advertised to take place on the Domain Cricket Ground next Saturday afternoon. There are capital entries for all events, and with fine weather there should be a very enjoyable afternoon's sport. _. The Island of Hao, one of the Tuamotus, is to be thrown open for shell diving on the 15th March. Schooners are making their Way there with the native divers and stores. The opening of the island so early in the year is expected to make a great improvement in trade. The annual picnic~of the Auckland Brewers, Wine and Spirit Merchants and Licensed Victuallers was held today at Motutapu. The p.s. Eagle left the wharf shortly after 10 a.m. with a large crowd of passengers. A sports programme for those connected with the trade was arranged by the committee. The excursionists return to town at about eight o'clock this evening. The St. George's Rowing Club's final race for Mr E. W. G. Rathbone's challenge cup was rowed off last night, and after a very good contest Brett managed to win, and thus holds the cup for a year. Porte was runner up. The next trials will be fours, for a. handsome set of trophies kindly presented by Mr Kohn, Jeweller. Roslyn Exhibits. —Roslyn Flannels, blankets, and rugs are the best the world produces. You can buy them at first cost at Court Bros.' only.