BOROUGH PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 36, 13 February 1928, Page 8

BOROUGH PROGRESS.

TAKAPUNA'S DRAINAGE.

BATING MILFORD BEACH.

TRANSFORMING THE ESTUARY.

After two or three years of quiet but effective work the Takapuna Borough Council has brought its drainage scheme to an interesting stage of development. Already some of the residential areas are obtaining the full benefits of the service, and in the near future these benefits will be extended to the whole of the borough. Tllte progress already made is a source of pleasure to the Mayor and members of the Borough Council, for tltey believe that when the scheme has been fully carried out the suburbs under their jurisdiction—Bayswater, Belmont, Takapuna and Milford —will possess advantages unexcelled in Greater Auckland.

The council is gratified with the work of its engineering department, and considers that the borough is fortunate in having as its engineer a practical man who has had extensive experience of carrying out drainage schemes in England and in New Zealand. By courtesy of the Mayor (Mr. J. Williamson), a representative of the "Star" was this morning able to take a drive round the district with the engineer (Mr. J. Slinger), and the chairman of the works committee (Mr. J. C. Close).

Tl»© eastern area of fce drainage ' scheme, from Black Rock to Clifton, is now available for use, also the contract 1 for the storage chambers at the south- ' ern end of Milford Beach is well under ( way, as various signs of engineering 1 activity indicate, and while the contract ' time is twelve months it ia hoped to * have about half of the chambers avail- ) able for use within five months. A 1 f? od portion of the reticulation will be 1 connected up as the work proceeds. For 1 the Black iV ock outfall tenders will be called within three months. Before the site for this outfall was selected, careful 1 tests were carried out over a long period. 1 It was discovered that two currents, one bringing the waters of the Wade River up the harbour, and the other coming down the harbour around North 1 Head, regularly meet off Black Rock ami' turn together in the direction of 1 Tiri towards the open sc i. Mr. Slinger says that no better outlet could be i found. J Preserving the Rocks. .. An excellent example of how works , of this kind may be made to fit in ■ with the nature of" the country is prol vided by the work which has been comI pleted around the picturesque rock area I at Thome's Bay, "between Takapuna and : Milford beaches. It is not straining effect to state' that as far as is humanly

possible the work lias been made an adornment to the locality. Further, it has had the effect of checking an extensive piece of erosion which had been noticeable in the lava formation.

Also under construction is the St. Leonard's outfall, which is to serve Bayswater, a portion of Devonport and the back western area of the borough right up to the Northcote boundary. This is expected to be available for use in about five months. One of the achievements in carrying out the scheme has been the making of a tunnel of 2620 ft. This was carried out by day labour, and on the basis of the lowest [tender a saving of £5000 was effected. Whereas the contract time was 18 months, the work took 20 months. At Shoal Bay, on the lower levels and put of sight, a temporary filtration station is being installed which is expected to fulfil the purposes of the scheme for some years to come. In various ways the council has looked ahead in securing whatever sites are likely to be needed for buildings and extensions.

A serious matter at Milford is the erosion which is being caused by the removal of a&nd from the south-eastern end of the beach by contractors. The council proposes to restore the beach by erecting three groins, one by the creek, one by Ocean View Road and one opposite Audrey Road. In the mind's eye of the engineer is a marine parade around the rocks between the two beaches. He says the natural rock foundations are there and that the work may »be carried out at 'comparatively little" cost. Estuary for Boating. Out at the far end of Milford a transformation is being worked around the estuary. About 300 yds up from the beach a new bridge of 227 ft span,, is making possible a deviation roadway half a mile long which will form part of the maiir coast road, save about a mile in distance and cut out two stiff hills. Mr. Slinger says it is well that effect was not given to the original suggestion to throw a swing bridge across the mouth of the estuary. He believes that between the present bridge and the beach there will be room for 200 launches, yachts and other small craft.

Mr. Close pointed out to the presSman that this was the only harbour of its kind for boats between Whangapararoa and Stanley Bay. "The Milford estuary will become the yachtsman's paradise," he said. There are over 30 small craft there now. ,

A picture of what the estuary may become above the new bridge,' and also above Sherriff's bridge, was verbally drawn by the engineer. "It lends itself," he said, "to an attractive layout as a park area and as a safe playing ground for children. Near the new bridge three and a-half acres of water may easily be provided to a depth of two or three feet for canoeing, while from Sherriff's bridge o nga Road an area of Reven acres ,m P° un ding the water, become , P ark area - With a little : bsi c ° uii "•

More Concrete Roading.

The council's proposals are now before the Loans Board for completing the two missing sections of concrete roading on the bus routes from Devonport and Bayswater to Takapuna. The borough is particularly fortunate in having been able to develop good quarries both for hard bluestone and for scoria gravel. One of the developments of the future may be an improved roadway from Takapuna to Northcote, which is said to be one of the most direct routes to the city.

To spend half an hour in the offices of the engineering department is to realise that when the various schemes set out on relief maps and scale plans have been given effect to the marine suburbs will have still further added to their natural charm. They are busy suburbs and they are growing, as one may see on any morning or evening as the crowds pass to and from the city.