THE TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1908, Page 2

THE TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

DEPUTATION TO HARBOUR BOARD. CNETLI/S POINT WHAKF. At yesterday afternoon's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board a deputation from the Takapuna Tramway Company was introduced, consisting of Messrs. J. Brown, H. Brett, H. H. Adams, P. M. Hansen, and W. J. Geddes. The Chairman said that he understood the business of the deputation had reference to the steps the Board intended taking relative to the O'Neill's Point Wharf. Mr Brown, in explaining the reason of the deputation waiting upon the Board, said the matter was one of very great importance, not only to the Takapuna Tramway Company, but to the public of Auckland, and the residents of the Takapuna district, which the tramway would supply. It came to his company as a great surprise that the Board had decided to erect a 10ft. wharf at O'Neill's Point. This decision must have been arrived at through a misunderstanding as to the traffic which would necessarily pass over the wharf. A 10ft. gangway at the' end of a tramway line would be totally inadequate. He wished to point out that this tramway would serve a very large district. The wharf, if constructed by the Board as proposed, would not allow any vehicular traffic. This would be a serious drawback, since the company anticipated there would be a considerable amount of traffic He (Mr Brown) believed that the establishment of the tramway line would lead to a very big boom in, the building line at Takapuna - I —such a boom as had not been known in Auckland before. It was over this wharf that the greater part of material -wanted for building purposes would be carried. " The company strongly felt that the Board should erect a wharf of, sufficient size to meet these requirements. If the wharf was not built to allow the tramway engine to run on to it, he at least thought provision ehould £# Blade for vehicular (traffic. Has company therefore suggested that the Board should consider the advisability of erecting an 18ft. wharf. This would suffice to meet requirements. Their engineer, in reporting on the proposed 10ft. wharf, had stated that such action on the part of the Board would cripple the whole undertaking. The Board had originally intimated that in the event of the residents subscribing £500, the Board would erect a wharf, and do the necessary dredging. It was not then coiieiueicd that the Board would only erect a 10ft. wharf, which was in no way commensurate with the needs of the district. Therefore, they wished the Board to give them an 18ft. wharf. One of the directors, Mr Brett, had made a suggestion which, it was felt, should be placed beforn the consideration of the Board. This was a proposal that if the 18ft. wharf was constructed, and/ a centre row of piles put in to support it, so that the tramway engine might proceed right down the wharf, the company should pay £50 per year rental for that right. This, it was felt, would recompense the Board for the extra outlay. They were also prepared to put down a line of extra strong rails, and at the same time were agreeable to do this without asking for any special privileges. In all fairness to the

undertaking—and he was sure they would agree no undertaking ever deserved more support and sympathy—he urged that the Board should construct the O'Neill's Point wharf on the lines indicated.

J Mr Henry Brett, in speaking of the " need for a wharf which would be commensurate -with the requirements of the . district, said he felt that the Board would see the advisability of a constrnc--3 tion which would meet the needs of the heavy traffic, to which it would be submitted. He urged that with the opening or the district by means of a tramway service, the traffic would be very considerable. A large amount of building would be commenced, and the whole of the material—bricks, timber, and coal —would pass over this wharf. Hundreds of acres of land would be opened up, and the building trade would go ahead. If a small wharf was erected now. it would be necessary in a few years to build a more substantial structure, and the cost of so doing would then probably be a great deal more. He did not think it was quite realised just how important this work was. Takapuna would not be the only district reaping an advantage by the installation of the service. The Waitemata County Council had recently purchased land, with the object of forming a solendid road of very easy grade to Birkenhead. It was proposed by th e Tramway Company to extend the rails to Birkenhead along this road, and probably Northcote A?xT a ™ early - date - Tbe scene ry from O'Neill's Point to Northcote was unexcelled in Auckland. The Chairman: Yes; it is very much like that round the Mosman's Bay trip in Sydney. Mr Brett: We feel that that is so, and that the tramway will be very much availed of for that reason. Mr Basley: Would not a quay at O'Neill's Point be as useful as a wharf? The Chairman: Yes; that was a suggestion made when the matter first came up for consideration, but the question of cost was considerable. Mr Brett's proposal, however, that the company should pay a rental of £50 minimises the question,of expense, and leads to the possibility of the Board's engineer making an estimate of the cost of reclaiming the roadway, and providing for a width of from 20ft. to 30ft. The Board, the Chairman added, was, already committed to dredging, which would cost £2000. The matter was one, however, which need not be hurried, and he would promise to have it further discussed. The deputation then withdrew.