NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 242, 26 September 1922, Page 5

NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Napier Harbour Board was held this morning. Present: Mr A. E. Jull iu the chair, also Messrs J. E. Lane, J. J. Langridge, J. A. Miller, H. A. Russell, J. T. Blake, K. McLeay, B. B| Creagh, W. J. McGrath. The business was to receive a report from tho sub committee ro additional office accommodation for the engineer also staffing arrangements. After a short discussion the report was adopted. Re the demolition of the old Westshore Bridge: The chairman announced having received a letter from the County Clerk asking for a conference with that body on Friday next, with reference to the above. Mr Finch, the board’s engineer, reported having inspected the bridge in company with the County Council engineer, and they both agree that although unsafe for ordinary vehicular traffic, it was perfectly safe for pedesterians to use. He would not recommend any work on the bridge because it would be a never ending job. He detailed the weaknesses found in tho bridge. z A discussion ensued as to the advisableness of keeping the bridge open foi the benefit of the Westshore people, and the delegates consisting of the chairman, Mr McGrath and the engineer, and secretary were instructed to keep the bridge open as long as possible. The chairman said he would ask the Harbourmaster and secretary to draw up a report on the establishment of a ferry service. Tho board members were then taken by car to see and make themselves conversant by knowledge miined on the spot of various cuts and filings which Mr Finch, the engineer proposes to do in the future, for the purpose of reclaiming the large extent of land lying between Napier South and Awatoto. The party viewed the land along the banks of the Tutaekuri river, which when raised to safe levels will become most valuable and suitable for cutting up into small farms. The various plantations were inspected in which thousands of young trees have been planted for future use. The members crossed over by Nelson’s bank and came home via Riverbend road, reaching town aboqt 1.30 p.m. after a most instructive trip. After lunch, the trip was continued to Port Ahuriri, when the members were shown the extent of the extra accommodation required by the engineer. A trip was also paid to the Railway Embankment.