THE TAKAPUNA TRAMWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6, 7 January 1908, Page 5

THE TAKAPUNA TRAMWAY.

The committee of the Harbour Board recommended at the meeting held this afternoon, that consideration of the erection of a -whir, etc, at O'Nefll's Point be deferred until further communication was received from the Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company, Limited. At the meeting of the committee, held yesterday afternoon, Mr. W. J. Napier said that the Board had aiways been of the opinion that dredging should be done at O'Neill's Point. He said that the original proposal was that the residents and the promoters of the company should expend a sum not exceeding £4000 on the necessary works, and in consideration of that being done that the Board should do dredging sufficient to enable a .vessel drawing six feet, to berth at the wharf when erected at CHNeHl's Point. Tbose plans had now been altered. The district had in the meantime progressed at such a wonderful rate, that a company with £50,000 capital had been started, with the object of providing quick traction for the prospective residents. The plans had been gone into, and the intention of the company was to construct an electric tramway from O'Neill's Point to Lake Tafcapnna, a fast ferry service to be rua ,, between the point and the new ferry tee. If this was all carried into effect, it -would result in enormous advantage to the Board, which had 1200 acres of land in the immediate vicinity of the proposed line. At present this land, which did not require reclamation, was -worth very little, but with the advent of the tramway it would be worth anything up to £500 per acre. There were other large areas belonging to the Board near at .hand, and eight or nine months would see the ferry in operation. Mr. H. Bradney asked what if was proposed to do with regard to any riparian rights. Mr. Napier replied that thsre was nothing to fear in that respect, as there were practically no riparian rights, "except those people who had none." He considered that the operations of the company would improve the Board's property to the extent of fully £50,000. Under such circumstances, as wharves had been constructed by the Board in other plares, he thought that something should be done at O'Npul's Point as soon as the tram-way contract was let. As already stated, it was decided to defer further consideration until some information was received from the company.