PROGRESS AT BIRKENHEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12546, 13 April 1904, Page 5

PROGRESS AT BIRKENHEAD.

PROPOSED NEW WHARF AND RECLAMATION.

The plans of the new wharf and reclamation which the Harbour Board is proposing to construct at. Birkenhead were laid before the Board at its meeting yesterday. It is proposed to build a new wharf, about 220t in i?}j(jth'and 60ft in width, a short distance to the west of the present wharf. This wharf, in addition to the ordinary ferry facilities, will include a landing for vehicular trafficBetween the new wharf and the present jetty a retaining wall will bo constructed, and the area inside this wall, about two acres and ahalf, will be reclaimed and thus provide a large number of level building allotments, tor which it is expected tenants will readily be found. A letter m regard to the proposal was received yesterday by the Board from the Birkenhead Borough Council, which expressed approval of the plans, and stated its willingness to fill in the reclamation urea if tho Board would build the wharf and the retaining wall. The Council also stated that in the event of this being done it would agree to the Board retaining the reclaimed area. The proposal of the Borough Council is to construct a read at an easy gradient round the cliff, from the. new wharf to the top of the hill, and thus avoid the use of the steep road leading up from the present wharf. Tlie material from the cutting for the road will be available for the reclamation. The estimated cost of the retaining wall and vibarf is about £10.000, and that of the road and reclamation, which the Borough Council agrees to undertake, about £1500.

Speaking on the matter at the meeting of the Board, Mr. .T. H. Withe lord, M.H.11. (Mayor of Birkenhead), said tho stage now reached in regard to the proposed work was a very satisfactory one to the Board. He believed, ha said, that lour tenants could already be tound who would each give £100 a v e;tr for tho lease of portions of the area to be reclaimed. This would be sufficient to pay the interest on the whole of the cost. It was subsequently stated that a taunt could be found to give £500 a year for a lease of the whole area if desired. Mr. Witheford stated that the Borough Council vras content to undertake its share of the work, us promised, and to accept the general benefit to the district as a sufficient recompense for its outlay.

The matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee for consideration.