WHARF TRAFFIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1035, 26 January 1911, Page 2

WHARF TRAFFIC.

BOARD APPROVES BARHIERS. The now used oh' the wharvesin connection with the regulation of passenger traffic when steamers are arriving or departing, have become already comparatively familiar objects to the general public.-,' It was only last evening, however, that the Harbour Board had its first opportunity of expressing an opinion on the new departure. The subject was introduced by the chairman (Mr. R.. Fletcher), who said it would be within the memory of members that at the previous meeting it was left to himself and the engineer to devise some method of coping with disorderly conduct on the wharves such as occurred when the steamer Rotorua arrived. The only solution, to the speaker's mind, lay in the erection of barriers. This had been done, and the new arrangement had worked very -successfully. One or two people had growled, but their growling had not amounted to anything. There had not been any reason for it. The' speaker certainly did not desire to inflict any hardship* on citizens. Since he had been on the board ho had fought hard, to have the gates opened, and to let-the public have every facility of entrance to the wharves. Tho'action of the board had met with the appreciation of the travelling public, and of the shipping companies. An instance showing tho valuo of th« barriers had occurred that evening. When the Athenic berthed, 500 or 600 people, who had no. business there at all, remained outside the barriers, while the passengers wore enabled-to land in an orderly .way and in comfort. '

31r. Hildreth asked if the chairman did not think that .the charge of twopence which was made at the railway station would serve to cover the cost of regulating the wharf traffic? The chairman replied that expense had been incurred in providing chains and stanchions. In some 'cases tho revenue from the sale of passes had produced a credit balance, in others there was a deficit. Of course, tho board had no desire to derive revenue from this source. The action taken had been inspired by a desire to safeguard the reputation of tho port,'of which tho speaker was jealous. Mr. Bolton said a charge of twoponco should suffice, since the Government found it sufficient at tho railway station. The speaker- really thought they should make somo attempt to reduce the charge. ' Tho chairman said he wanted to make tho charge, as small as possible, but, unlike the Government, the board b.-id to make special preparation for the regulation of traffic. It had to bring men down after hours and pay them-overtime. However, he was very willing that the charge should, be t reduced as soon as the beard could sec its way to do so. ' Mr. Tcwsley moved that the action taken by tho chairman be endorsed, and that the board express its satisfaction at what had been dons, believing that it was in the best interests of tho port of "Wellington. The speaker had seen what occurred when the Eotoriia arrived, and with others had recognised tho necessity for some such action as had b:en taken. Everyono interested in the arrival and departure of steamers would approve what had been dciuo by the board. Mr. Hildreth seconded the motion, which was carried without disssnt.