BEHIND THE BARS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 64, 15 March 1916, Page 8

BEHIND THE BARS.

CONTROLLING THE WHARVES. • ENCLOSURES TO BE EXTENDED. WATEEFrtOXT GATES AXD : ■ FENCES.* . » At yesterday afternoon's meeting of ' the Auckland' Harbour Board it .was ' decided to extend the present system of enclosures by which Queen's wharf is ' controlled to ensure the protection and supervision of the remainder of the central portion of the waterfront. The ' proposal was first made sonic six months ago. aud on that occasion the matter was deferred on account" of the ■ uncertainty of the financial position. The chairman (.Mr. 11. D. Heather) moved that the work be authorised and tenders invited. It was estimated, he said, that the work would cost £4.500, ajul. as it was provided for in the estimates, the money would come out of loan account, and would not interfere with the general expenditure. He had invited the views of the shipping companies on the proposal. The HuddartParkcr Company wrote that they were strongly of opinion that fences and gates were desirable in the interests of shipowners and consignees. The Xew Zealand Shipping Company thought that the present protection at Queen's { wharf ought to be extended along the * -waterfront, and pointed to the value of the gates in keeping the wharves clear during the embarkation of troops and on oilier special occasions. The Xortncrn Shipping Company requested that the work should be done to enable the working of vessels to he carried out N tinder more satisfactory conditions. '. The Harbourmaster wrotef'referring' to" ; the. advantage that would be gained in controlling the public in the event of i fires, as was evidenced by the recent i. outbreak on the Kercru: tbe poliae '. strongly recommended the work its a l protection to the Board's property, and ; other shipping representatives heartily j endorsed the proposal. ; Mr. P. J. Xcrheny took the view " that there would soon be iron gates ; and fences from one end of the foreshore - to the other, so that the public would have to peep through the bars to get a breath of fresh air. (Laughter.l He thought the Board was going too strong altogether. On .account of the price, of materials the Board would-have to » spend 20 or 30 per cent more than in normal times, and such rush was lmI justified when them were other desirable ; improvements which would he more heneficial to the whole community. : 'Replying to Mr. Xcrhonv's picture of • the public chaling behind the bars. Mr. r 18. -J. Carr pointed out that the wharves at present, thus protected were still - open to the .•public, and-thc jratc* were l, only closed wjicn .it was"necessary. Tt jji w.as only reasonable fo£ the Board to r protect its "own property. . Mr. A. J. Kntriean. supporting the resolution, observed that, apart from v what the shipping companies might | think, it was a question of whether the S Board should control its own property. •: which could only be done by means of 1 gates. 5 iThc resolution was carried.