BERTHING ACCOMMODATION AT THE WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11005, 8 March 1899, Page 6

BERTHING ACCOMMODATION AT THE WHARVES.

A NECESSITY FOR DEEPENING. A question of great importance bearing on thn future of Auckland as a shipping centre caino up at a meeting of tho Harbour Board yesterday, when attention was called to the want of berthing accommodation suitable for the large class of vessels now being put into the London-Now Zealand trade. The following letter from the harbourmaster was read to tho Hoard:—"l bog to direct tho Board's attention to the now s.s. Papanui, now lying at Queen-street Wharf. This steamer is a fair cample of a number of now vessels that have been recently launched, or aro building, for the New Zealand trade from London. Her draught on arrival was 23ft Bin, but fully loaded it will be 28ft. 1 would respectfully suggest that, as many members of the Board as can make it convenient, should view the steamer'* proportions, to enable them to form an idea as to the accommodation wo will require in the future for this class of steamer."

A report from tho Works and Tariff Committee was read to the Board, recommending that the amended plans for the renewal of Queen-street Wharf be approved, and lenders called for tlio work. On tin's question Mr. Witheford said he totally dissented from tho custom which the Board has followed for many years, in building long wooden wharves, but he recognised that the work proposed was necessary, and he would not move an amendment.

j The Chairman (Mr. W. J. Napier) said tho I Board could not, of courso, revcrso tho policy of some 40 odd years. While the subject was under tho notice of the Board, however, he might say that Mr. Gibbs, the general manager of the Now Zealand Shipping Company, had told him that the company were building other three steamers of tho Papanui type. Tho vessel's draught was 28ft 6in, and anothoi foot, say 30ft, would bo wanted. Fortunatoly Auckland was not the vessel's last port of call. It it had been 30ft of water would have been wanted, It seemed to him that the Board had almost boon caught napping. There had been quite a revolution in shipbuilding, and at present the depth of water available at Auckland was 26ft 6in, and they could not always rely on that. It seemed to him that the Board would soon bavo to go in for considerable dredging operations to deepen tho berths. Mr. Gibbs also stated that they wanted the berths noarer the town. No. 2 jetty was tho sort of jetty these steamers were wanted to berth at, but Captain Duder said he would scarcely risk the berthing without the use of a tag, and that there was no tug in the harbour powerful enough for these big steamers. They had, therefore, to face the questions of more water and more assistance in tho berthing of ships. Then another point had arisen. Mr. Gibbs and the captain of the Papanui wanted to work all night, owing to the great expense of keeping the vessel at the wharf. But if they had worked all night, they would have blocked the sheds, and they could not have worked during the next day. The arrangement in the shed was, if an importer had only two cases he was allowed the space right up to tho roof. The consequence was that the ship was stopped when the shed was only half full. The question of hoisting gear, to that the sheds could be properly filled, would, therefore, have to be considered, as well as the question of more water and assistance in the berthing of vessels. The recommendation of the committee with reference-to the renewal of the wharf was adopted, ______ I