FURTHER AHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 150, 28 June 1939, Page 18

FURTHER AHEAD.

BOAT HAVEN PLAN.

SHELTER AT OKAHU BAY.

MINISTER FAVOURS SCHEME.

The word io jro eViead with its scheme to provide a hnnhonr for pleasure craft at Okahu Bay, Orakei. has now virtually been given to the Auckland Harbour Board. It is expected that materials for the construction of the intended wave-break across the bay will be ordered shortly^ The Minister .if Marine, the Hon. P. Fraser, has told ihe board that he is prepared to ri'coiiiinend approval of the pie us subject to the board agreeing to certain conditions rej-ardinjr improvement of the amenities in Okahu Bay. These are to the effect that the board shall take control of the foreshore between Tamaki Drive and ihe sea. the area l>ein<r proclaimed as a domain for recreational purposes, and that it shall establish and maintain in the bay suitable bathing sheds and other conveniences. Ihe board yesterday decided to ajiree to these requests, and the next step is for final approval to lie given to the plans. The board, it was learned, is looking into the question of obtaining import licenses for Australian timber and other materials, and will place orders as soon as permission is obtained. In the meantime, the licenses of 148 mooring sites in Mechanics' Bay will be expiring at the end of this mouth, and the board, needing the area for port extension purposes, has decided not to renew them. An assurance was jriven yesterday by the chairman. Mir. W. IS. Darlow, that everything possible would be done to minimise the inconvenience that would be caused to owners in having to find new mooring places. Room for some (l f the boats will be found in St. Mary's Bay, while as a temporary expedient an urea of the harbour in Hobson Hay. off Tamaki Drive, will be declared a "protected" yacht and launch anchorage. The word "protected' , means not that the board will offer protection against the element*, but that the area will be prohibited to trading and other vessels, t'raft moored in the area, which is a fairly exposed one. will have to relv largely on the strength of their moorings, and it was stated yesterday that the board would provide strong" mooring*. The exodus from Mechanics' Bay will be required to start fairly »oon" after the end of the month. si,',,-c the board will need the area early in its work on the construction of the new export wharf. The decision, however, has c<.,no at a timely part of the year, since moot of the craft involved are" now hauled up tor the winter.