AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 190, 12 August 1919, Page 9

AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

INADEQUATE WHARFAGE. PROPOSED JJEW WORKS. The growth of the city of Auckland and the need for more adequate wharfage accommodation in tlie harbour, notwithstanding the progressive policy of tho Auckland Harbour Board, is exemplified this week by the fact that the Opawa, which ia now in port from London, cannot be given a berth until one is evacuated by the vessels at present occupying them. "The Harbour Board is fully alive to the position, and with a view to providing further accommodation is promoting a bill to enable it to raise a loan of £1,000,000. This money it is proposed to expend in the extension of the eastern and western breakwaters, the coiitirurtiijn of a new wharf on the site of tlie present Hobson Street wharf, similar to ; the Queen Street wharf, and also to pro-

vide for the roading of the Board's property at Freeman's Bay. Speaking of the Hoard's activities generally this morning the chairman (Mr. H. D. Heather) said the reclamation to the eastward had just been completed. It would be cut. up, into sections and leased, and already there was a strong demand for waterfront sections in tins area, which comprised between fifteen and twenty acres. With regard to the Freeman's Bay sections, which it was proposed to road with a portion of the million pound loan if approved, a number of inquiries had already been made, and it appeared that there would be no ililiiculty whatever in disposing of these sections. Meantime other works were being pushed on with every dispatch. The Board had authorised and were working at the equipment of the Central wharf, but it would take some time before it could be completed, as much of the material had to be obtained from abroad. The piles for tho new oil. coal, and timber wharf at Freeman's Bay were being prepared. The construction of this wharf, of course, involved a considerable amount of dredging, which was already in hand and progressing satisfactorily, while tile contract for the steel required had been let. Mr. .Heather pointed out, in conclusion, that if the bill, which was in charge of the Hon. A. M. Myers, went through, as he was hopeful it would, the construction of the new Hohson Street wharf would mean that at least four more large- ocean steamer's can be berthed. I'ntil this bill was passed the Board could not proceed with any of the works mentioned in the schedule. There was a proposal also that the Central wharf should be extended tc its full length, but this depended upor the extension of the eastern breakwater Unless this were done it was not con sidered advisable to extend the wharf be cause of the current.