WHANGAREI HARBOUR

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1933, Page 11

WHANGAREI HARBOUR

MEETING OF BOARD. REMOVING ONERAHI WHARF. LIGHT AND WATER AT PORT. Proposals for the advancement of the new shipping centre at Kioreroa occupied the Whangarei Harbour Board for the greater part of its meeting yesterday. The chairman, Mr J. A. Finlayson, presided over a full attendance of members. At 11.30 the meeting went into committee. Acting on the advice of the solicitors to the Harbours’ Association, the Legal Committee recommended that no further steps be taken in the matted of acquiring the old sawmill site in James Street in connection with the filling in with dredged spoil of the Driunmond Creek area. The recommendation was endorsed. Onerahi Wharf. The District Engineer of Railways wrote asking for a definite quote for the removal of the above-named structure. To this the board’s secretary replied—“lt would assist us if you were to state whether the whole of the wharf is to be removed, as we understand the Onerahi Town Board has communicated with you with a view to your leaving portion of the wharf for the needs of the local people.” The District Engineer, under date July IS, replied: “I have to advise you that I have not yet received any inquiries from the Onerahi Town Board in regard to leaving portion of the wharf for the needs of the local people. It is desired that you submit an estimate for the removal of the complete wharf.”

Mr Holmes moved that the engineer bo instructed to forward a definite estimate and that the Onerahi Town Board be informed of the position. He thoroughly agreed with the attitude adopted by the boards committee which waited on the Town Board, and understood that the Town Board had been favourably impressed with the arguments advanced. He had been told that the Town Board/intended to take action and this course would still be open to them. Mr Finlayson: “If they delay they are lost.” ’ , Mr Hewlett, who seconded, thought that the Onerahi people would like to keep a portion of the wharf. The motion was carried. Water Supply. The engineer recommended that fivO 400-gallon tanks be procured for the storage pf water at Kioreroa wharf. The cost of these tanks placed in position and connected by two-inch pipes with the steam crane was estimated at £25.

Mr Johnson thought it was high time to consider not only a temporary, but also a permanent, water supply to the port. Shipping must have water, which the board could sell. ? Mr Holmes moved that the Borough Council be asked whether it is prepared to carry water and electricity services to the new wharf, and that the engineer be asked to prepare estimates, including a suggested temporary supply from nearby springs. The chairman pointed out that the Agricultural Department probably would also be concerned in the provision of water to its small farms. The motion and the engineer’s recommendation were adopted. Engineer’s Report. Operations for the past five weeks were reviewed in the engineer’s report, which read:— Town Basin Dredging.—The work of assembling all gear necessary for the placing ii? commission of the suction dredging plant has been pushed on. Kioreroa Wharf. —The laying of the railway tracks on the wharf and ap-

proa eh -at Kioreroa has been complet: ed, and the coal-loading crane, is also erected and in commission on the wharf. Railway shunting.at the Kioreroa wharf is now in operation, and working quite smoothly. Kaituna Reclamation. —The stopbank on this area has been built up sabove high water level, and the tidal water is now shut out. . The completion of the bank and the Extension of the internal drainage can now be carried on without having to. work in water. Plant Overhaul.—The tow-boats and barges belonging to Messrs Mason Bros, which were used in connection

with the Oneraki wharf removal hay® J been slipped and repaired. ■ "Relief Worklr—yof the five weeks ended 15th relief workers were employedj. jand , their time averaged 8J days per thk®' for therthree weeks worked,:being two stand-down weeks in the period.^.v- : ’ • :,}/ _' ' • ’ *». , •?- J - ’t'■ "T' i . Lri