THE LEADING PORT.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIIII, Issue 81, 7 April 1920, Page 6

THE LEADING PORT.

' ■ ofIMPROVEMENTS AHEAD.

NEW WHARF COSTING A QUARTER OF A MILLION

Wellington, already the main port of New Zealand, is. to be still more improved in the near future (says the Times)

The Harbor Board has in hand at present a large brick warehouse at the foot of Taranaki Street wharf. It has about 80 feet span, and the work is well advanced, but has been delayed on account of the difficulty of obtaining steel for the roof. It is hoped to get the steel next month. The structure will be fitted with overhead electric cranes of about 80 feet span, and allow goods to be stacked high or loaded into lorries as desired.

Another work in hand is the supply store which is to bo built in Waterloo Quay. The foundation is down, and it is hoped to start the brickwork shortly.

The largest and most important work the Board has in hand is the construction of the Pipitea wharf. This was delayed on account of the war, but a start was made on it some months ago. Some 266 piles have been driven and the superstructure "has been commenced. Steel for this work is already in hand. An order has been placed with the I^roken Hill Company for sufficient steel to make an additional 250 piles. As soon as this comes to hand the work of making piles will be at once started. It is one of the largest works the Board has undertaken, and probably, with equipment, it will cost over £250,000. Plans have been prepared for a new wharf at Te Aro, which will be sufficiently large and -capacious for moderate-^sized vessels, of say, 8000 tons.

Plans are almost finished for the extension of the Waterloo Quay breastwork. This it is hoped to start as soon ps material is available.

When the Pipitea wharf is completed, the Board proposes to widen thfl Jervois Quay breastwork and build two large brick sheds opening on to Jervois Quay. These sheds will be about 400 feet long and 70 feet wide. This work cannot be put in hond until other berthage. is provided.

Recently the construction of the Cable Street extension f»nd crossroads has been put in hpr>d., and it is proposed to lea.se by Dublic tender a number of sections of a class which is in considerable demand.