Proposed New Wharf for Mangonui

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 52, 28 September 1934, Page 7

Proposed New Wharf for Mangonui

Plans Submitted by County Engineer

At the last County Council meeting the question of the erection of a new wharf at Mangonui was discussed and it was decided to proceed with the preliminary arrangements for the financing of the proposal. The County Engineer submitted the following comprehensive report on the proposal; ( Site “There is little to choose between the available sites near the present wharf at Mangonui. The sea bottom shelves at approximately the same rate along the whole length of the existing sea wall, so that the approaches will necessarily be of the same length to get the required depth of water. At a distance of approximately 160 feet from the wharf wall the bottom shelves down rapidly, and whereas the depth of water here is only from 10 to 12 feet, it increases to from 18 to 20 feet at 200 feet from the wall. The existing wharf extends 215 feet from the wall and the proposed wharf extends 200 feet to the berthage side. New Wharf Proposals “My proposal is to build a concrete wharf at the end of the existing wharf wall. The wharf itself would be 80 feet long by 45 feet wide, with approaches 150 feet long for one-way traffic. “The wharf would be provided with a goods shed 40 feet by 30 feet at one end of the wharf. This should give ample storage, provided by-laws are made penalizing goods left on the wharf for more than three to four days. If more storage is required in the future this could be provided by the erection of sheds on the waterfront, with tram lines and trucks for transport to and from the wharf. To provide for storage of large quantities of heavy goods such as manures, lime, etc., on the wharf would be unduly expensive. “The wharf approaches are of reinforced concrete deck on concrete piles. Stone walls and filling could be taken out to low water mark, but the cost would be little less than the concrete deck and piles, and is not altogether advisable, as it would tend to divert the flow of water, and make berthing difficult. “I estimate the cost at £6OOO. Finances “The present revenue from the wharf is £216 a year, and the amount of interest and sinking fund on £6OOO at 6 percent, would be £360 per annum. To provide this amount out of revenue, the wharfage charges would need to be increased. The present charges are very light, and on comparison with those at Whangaioa, I find that the charges could be increased 100 percent, and still be less than Whangaroa. “If help could be obtained by subsidy from the Government and Unemployment Board, say to the extent of a-third of the cost, I am of opinion that the wharf could easily be made self-supporting. The annual charges

then would be 6 percent, on £4ooo— per annum, and could be met by raising the wharfage charges say 50 percent., to provide for wharfingers’ salary, and a small amount for maintenance. “The wharf account shows a credit of £506 18/9 to date, and this amount could be used for all preliminary work in connection with raising loans, providing plans, and investigations of sites.” Discussion and Resolutions In discussing the proposal, Cr. Garton said that he realised that the wharf would have to be built out of loan monies, but a subsidy might be obtained from the Government. Regarding the proposed new site, the speaker said that he would obtain the opinion of shipmasters trading to the port on this question, and he suggested that all the Councillors visit Mangonui and inspect the position for themselves. The following resolutions were then carried unanimously with little discuksion :

“That the Clerk take the necessary steps for raising a Special Loan of £6OOO for the erection of a new wharf at Mangonui at the Northern end of the present retaining wall, and that application be made to the Marine Department for a license to use the proposed new site.” “That application be made for a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Marine Department for the erection of proposed new wharf at Mangonui.” “That a Special Rating Area consisting of the Mangonui and Oruru Ridings be formed for the purpose of raising a Special Loan for erection of Mangonui Wharf.”