HARBOUR WORKS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 6

HARBOUR WORKS.

STEADY PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENT. WHARVES AND BUILDINGS. As fast as funds and circumstances will permit, the Harbour Board is making improvements along the waterfront. The chairman (Mr. R. Fletcher) is not eager to see the board reaching out, into any new, large undertakings this year, but ho is keen to ensure full regard for necessary works ; he is no believer in false economy. Therefore the renewals of .extensive portions of the Queen's Wharf and the wharf north of the Queen's Wharf entrance, are progressing vigorously. Many thousands of pounds will be needed to replace decayed and worm-eaten timber with sound material. Some of the decking is being ripped up near the edge of the new J store, and an excavation is being made. A face of concrete i 6 to be put in to help the " made ground " there do its duty more thoroughly. A slight subsidence had been noticed, bub there is no fear for the foundations of the store. Concrete has been bedded down to low-water level, aaid the concrete rests on stout piles driven down 25ft. Towards the Queen's Wharf there is another strip of sunken wood-blocking, indicating a 6ftttling down of reclaimed, ground. It ,will be necessary here to put in a concrete face. It is the habit of " made ground " everywhere ,to sag after a time, . when the filling is alongside a waterway and is not sufficiently safeguarded against percolation. Mr. Fletcher has an unkindly eye for tho unsightly fence at the head of the Ferry Wharf. He is resolved to take the first opportunity to have the drab batons pushed away to make room, for something better. A tranfehipping office at the head\ °f the Queen's Whzurf on the site of the old railway signal-box — is soon to take shape. The preparations are nearly complete. An improvement is about to be made at the Ladie3* Waiting Room, near the Customs Building. The main entrance will be from JervoLs-cjuay and the exit will be clear on to the wharf. The doors that now open on to the path frequented by men will be locked up. Neuchatel asphalt is giving splendid dignity and utility to the floor of the new J store,_ a. hearty, honest, brick building. Thifr asphalt makes a grateful footing, and lasts well under hea-vy traffic. The cost is well above the- common tar brand, but tho wear is something; for wonder. Tho board gelt? a guarantee of ten yeais ; any repairs needed in that time are done at the company's cust. The laying of the asphalt is a process worth watching. It beghw near a railw.iy tiding wheie the bags of j asphalt are broken up and heated in uvene. till the lumps crumble. Then comes a screening, and the hot powder cosily tucked under blankets into a cart, is taken_ to the J. building. The powder is placed on a concrete foundation, and is pror.ed into xui'k coiwintenry with li'ot lolleits and rammers. The iinst floor of (.he J i<s well coated v>ith another good i-bphalt compound, mastic. The J store inside nad out, commando admiration for ite toHditj; and utility..