RIVAL CANAL ROUTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13626, 20 December 1907, Page 6

RIVAL CANAL ROUTES.

TAMAKI OR WHAU? FUTURE POSSIBILITIES. At a general -meeting of the Onehunga Chamber of Commerce, held at Holmes' Hall, Mr. John Row© (Mayor) presiding, Mr. J. E. Taylor, of Mangere, delivered an address on the Manukau-Tamaki' Canal route by special invitation. In order to illustrate the subject, Mr. Taylor provided a plan of the site, 26ft long, upon which were marked out the different altitudes, and depths of cuttings racessary. In addition a wooden model was exhibited to illustrate the lock system. Mr. Taylor stated that for 20 years past he had interested himself in the cutting of a canal along the Tamaki route. . The system he advocated was a low-level canal, with only one rise, so that there would be always high water in the passage. Under this principle there would be the same depth below high water throughout. The supporters of the Whau, or rival route, had declared that there was a bed of rock to be encountered at the. Otahuhu approach, along the canal route, and down the Tamaki. They also objected- to locks on the proposed Tamaki Canal, but had adopted the" same in connection with the Whau proposal. One engineer had stated that no man could tell what it would cost to remove the rocks along the Tamaki route, and so he (Mr. Taylor) had decided to examine the strata, as it was due to the public that everything possible should be made known about both routes. Having observed the boring operations in connection with the proposed new M'angere bridge, where, at a depth of 50ft to 60ft, nothing hard was discovered, he was encouraged to make similar borings along the canal route. First of all a survey was necessary, and this was carried out by Mr. Otway. A plan was then prepared, and a boring machine provided. Operations were commenced at the Otahuhu end, and continued along the 1000 yds of land intervening between the Manukau and Tamaki. Along the 1000 yds of land route, the highest point was only 39ft above high-water level, and it was here that a bore was made of 83ft. In every instance the borer failed to find rock along the isthmus. Throughout the route the borer worked to a depth of not less than 24ft below high-water level, and as deep as 44ft below. The operations proved, he declared, that the,,country was simple and easy to cut through. A canal connecting the Manukau' and Tamaki would not only shorten the distance between Auckland and Sydney, Mr. Taylor went on, but would lessen the journey by half for vessels trading tc Auckland from the west. coast, via the North Cape. The increase in trade from west coast ports for Home steamers should be tremendous. At present the Westport Coal Company sent annually fully 60,000 tons of coal to Auckland by steamer via North Cape, these vessels being limited to a draught of 22ft, owing to the Westport bar. Between Onehunga and New Plymouth the Union Company handled about 5000 tons of cargo, and the Northern Company about 48,000 tons on the west coast in and out. With a canal connecting the Manukau with the Waikato. River a considerable amount of revenue would be derived from that source also. With the canal constructed a very large shipping trade would grow up around the isthmus, especially near Otahuhu, with all the kindred industries, such as docks, wharves, shipbuilding, and railway sidings. Assuming the cost of the whole undertaking to amount to £200,000, it was reasonable to assume that at least 500 acres of land could be reclaimed on th©'Onehunga side of* the Manukau basin, above Manger© bridge, for the tide now covered 2000 acres. These 500 acres of reclaimed land would be worth at least £300 per acre, or a total of £150,000, leaving £50,000 ;as the net cost of the undertaking, which at 5 per cent, would require ■■an'annual interest of £2500. Add to this another £1000 per year for wages and salaries, making in all £3500 per year, as against £8500 revenue from coastal trade canal dues. Property values would also increase greatly in the vicinity of the canal route. An examination of the Rangitoto channel was contemplated with a view of ascertaining what there is to be removed by dredging all the way from there up to the Tamaki-Otahuhu Isthmus, so as to allow the largest ocean-going vessels that now came to Auckland to reach this point for convenient loading and discharge. At low spring tide the depth of the Rangitoto channel was 33ft, while the depth' of the Manukau Bar at low spring tide was 27ft, with a rise of 13ft. An attempt should be made to deepen the latter by the use of sea harrows. The project, of course, was a big one. He (Mr. Taylor) would like the Chamber to organise a party and ; go over the route, besides which he'thought of inviting Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. W. F. Massey {Leader of the Opposition), and the member for Manukau, Mr. F. W. Lang; M.X\, to visit: the site.- *

Mr. Taylor added that of late he had lost faith in the Auckland Harbour Board, and did not now favour that authority taking over the Manukau. It would be in"tbe -best interest of Onehunga and' the contiguous districts for a local harbour board to assume control. Furthermore, Onehunga would gain say at least 500 acres of reclaimed area. With a local harbour board it should be only a matter of time when the Tamaki route would be shown as the better one for a canal, although he ) (Mr.'Taylor) would be the first -to acknowledge it if the Whau route were proved to offer greater advantages. The distance between Auckland and the Manukau Heads, via; the Whau, was 22 miles, and via the Tamaki 31 miles, but against the difference vessels would be able to travel for a greater distance along the Tamaki at full-speed.

THE MAYOR'S VIEWS. The Mayor, in inviting discussion on the subject of Mr. Taylor's address, mentioned that when Mr. Napier Bell came out from Home lie was asked by the then member for Manukau to report on the rival routes, and his unbiassed report to Parliament was absolutely favourable to the Tamaki route as being the best and cheapest. If Onehunga were situated in a similar position to Wellington, instead of Auckland, there would be no attitude of blinded prejudice in connection with the Manukau, but the work would be considered within 24 hours. At one time, he (the Mayor) thought that it would be better for Auckland to take over the port of" Oneliunga, but of late he bad changed his opinion, and like Mr. Taylor, now favoured a local harbour board. Referring to tho expenses in connection with the work of examining the route, he thought that each local body should contribute. The good work accomplished by Mr. Taylor was 'eulogised by Canon Haselden, Messrs. Wynyard, Robins, and others, after which, on the motion of Mr. Chas. Baglev, a vote of thanks was accorded' him for the address.