BAN ON NO. 7 WHARF

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 12

BAN ON NO. 7 WHARF

DEMOLITION WORK TO BEGIN SOON STATEMENT BY BOARD CHAIRMAN The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s original intention was to complete work on No. 2 wharf first and then go on to the demolition of No. I wharf, said the chairman of the board (Mr F. E. Sutton) in a statement to “The Press” last evening. The Railways Department has banned the use of No. 7 wharf, on the ground that it is unsafe. , x . Now, as the board expected, by working overtime, to finish No. 2 wharf a month earlier than planned, demolition of No. 7 wharf could commence as soon as the steamer express resumed her berth at No. 2, said Mr Sutton. . Most of the work on No. 2 Wharf had been completed but it is not expected that it will be ready for use until the end of next month or the beginning of February. It would be possible for the steamer express to use No. 2 wharf now, although there might be some inconvenience. Workmen made test borings of the piles and beams under No. 7 wharf at Lyttelton yesterday morning. Rolling stock has been cleared from the wharf and only the harbour board’s cranes remain. . “The contract for the timber for No. 7 wharf has been let,” said Mr Sutton in his statement. “It should be coming to hand by the time it is required. In the meantime we have sufficient timber on hand to proceed with the work.” The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr J. T. Watts) said yesterday that he had not yet had time to consider the implications of the ban on No. 7 wharf, but they could be farreaching. Although much of the No. 7 wharf has been rebuilt and altered, there are still some parts in use that were in the original structure put down 60 years ago. The No. 7 wharf replaced what was known as the old Peacock’s wharf and when the No. 7 wharf is demolished, parts of this structure may be found.