AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 5

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

DEEP IVATEJR BERTHS NEEDED

INCREASING BUTTER EXPORTS. The Auckland Harbour Board met in com-' mittee yesterday aftocnoon, when thoso present wore: Tho chairman (tho Hon. E. Mitohelson), Messrs. J. B. Macfarlanc, A. Keyes, H. M. Smeoton, J. H. Gunson, H. D. Heather, J. K. Kneen, W. J. Napier, A. J. Entriean, G. W. Basley, W. E. Hutchison, and Captain McKonzie. Referring to tho proposed dredging, in order to provide sufficiently deep berthage for tho larger class of over-sea vessels, the chairman pointed to tho phenomenal increase in the butter exports of Auckland, and the approaching necessity to make this a final port of call for Homo vessels, instead of shipping via Wellington. They could not, however, expect ships to call here if proper facilities woro not provided, and if their intention to mako Auckland the premier port of tho colony was to bo carriod into effect ho thought they should make the necessary provision, no matter what the cost.

Mr. Gunson moved that the chairman's action in arranging for dredging be eonfirmed.

Mr. Napier seconded. Tho engineer (Mr. Hamer) recommended tho purchase of a rock-cutting plant, at a cost of £7300. The. average cost of this class of work was now about 3s 3d per cubic yard, as against 10s 6d formerly. With the kind of plant referred to similar work was l>oing done in England, Brazil, and the Suez Canal for about 6d per yard.

The engineer's recommendation was referred to the Standing Committee for roport at the meeting of the Board on Tuesday.

HOBSON BAY RECLAMATION.

A POSTPONEMENT AGREED TO.

The sub-committco appointed to consider the question of agreement with the Drainage Board as to tho construction of reclamation wall across Hobson Bay recommended that the Drainage Board be informed that the Board would consent to the postponement of construction of reclamation wall for six years, provided that the sum of £6500, estimated cost of such wall, bo handed over to the Auckland Harbour Board Sinking Fund Commissioners, in trust for tho purpose of constructing tho wall in question, the interest arising from tho investment of such sum of £6500 to bo paid to the Drainage Board. Tho recommendation was adopted, with the addition of tho following, suggested by Mr. Napier:— "Tho Board does not accept tho abovenamed sum of £6500 in settlement of tho total liability of the Drainago Board for the construction of the wall in question, provided for in sub-section 9, clause 30."

WHARF NEAR HOBSONVILLE

QUESTION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Seven residents of tho Waitemata district, with Mr. T. Wake as spokesman, waited upon tho Board in support of a petition for the construction of a wharf two miles above Hobsonville.

The Chairman asked how many residents oii ( that side of tho river would bo served. ' •

| Mr. Wake: Twenty or 25 within a radius ] of one mile and a-half, but the wharf would also servo a largo number of people who have to travel a longer distance at present to the Hobsonvillo Wharf. The Chairman: The construction of one and a-half miles of road would bo necessary. How do you propose to accomplish that? Mr. Wako mentioned that ho was prepared to give tho necessary land for tho approach to the wharf. Members of tho deputation undertook to havo tho approach constructed. Mr. Napier moved, after the deputation had withdrawn, "That tho matter bo deferred until a road had • been dedicated •> to tho satisfaction of tho Waitomata County Council." This was agreed to, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Keyes, Bradncy, Macfarlane, and Entrican, was appointed to inspect tho proposed site. MISCELLANEOUS. FREE KINDERGARTEN SITE. With roferenco to the Kindergarten Association's application for a site in tho Freeman's Bay district for the erection of a free kindergarten, the chairman moved, "That a clause be inserted in the Harbour Boards Bill providing for section 23, fronting on Patteson-strcet, to be granted at a rental of £1 per year." This was agreed to It. was decided, upon the recommendation of tho sub committee appointed to visit tho proposed site of now weighbridges, that ono weighbridge bo erected temporarily on a sito at the foot of Albert-street, and when tho new weighbridges arrived, ono to bo placed at the Railway Wharf, one at Hob-son-street Wharf, and one as near Queenstreet Wharf as possible, the committee to report as to suitable sites. The Board adopted the recommendation of a subcommittee to defer consideration of the question of sites for the erection of accommodation for waterside workers.