HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 5

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

WESTSKN TIDE DEFLECTOR. WORK TO START AT ONCE. The committee set up by the Auckland Harbour Board to make the necessary arrangements to secure plant required in the construction of the western tide-de-flector is pushing forward with the 'business, and an immediate sturt will be made with the work. Three scows and a eonI siderable quantity of gear, which had been used on similar work at the Freeman's Bay stone wall, now out of the contractor's hands, have been purchased on favourable terms, and the plant has ; been transferred to Rangitoto, where it will be erected for quarrying stone reI quired for the deflector. A large gang ;of men was sent over to the island yesterday to carry out the preliminary work. It is estimated, said the ehairiran of the Hoard this morning, that the job will occupy from eight to ten months. The i work, which will he pushed on with all possible spwd, will comprise a very material contribution to thu comprehen sive scheme of harbour works upon which the Board has now been engaged for the I lust eight-years. : To the eastward of the deflector it is proposed to establish an anchorage for fishermen. The locality has been ap- ■ proved 'by the men engaged in the fishing

industry, and the area will be reserved for thut purpose. It is well sheltered, and in close proximity to the new city market site and landings. With the completion of the deflector the whole of the extensive area between there and the King's wharf will be protected from both wind and tide, and will enable shipping to move therein with the greatest possible ease und safety. In the past there has been no trouble with the berthing of vessels, but at the same time the benefits of the deflector in respect to weather conditions will, it is expected, be much appreciated by the authorities and shipping interests. The deflector wUI be built of blue stone, and hearted up with sand-stone rubble. The only remaining work at Freeman's Bay is the decking of the north wall, which, on the arrival of the little steel required, will be completed in about three months' time. This will then leave a small area to 'be finished by pumping operations, but that will not be at tempted at present in vieiw of the ur gency of both the Mechanic's Bay and Hobson Street reclamation work.