THE POWDER GROUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14629, 15 March 1911, Page 8

THE POWDER GROUNDS.

A RISKY SITUATION.

NEW SITE SUGGESTED.

Considering that the present anchorage I for vessels handling explosives is so near { to areas of close population as to cause I a risk of great damage in case of an acci- ! dent, the harbourmaster (Captain Duder) ( reported to the Harbour Board yesterday I upon the advisability of finding new powj der grounds. Having regard, ho wrote, to the growing population of Parnell, j Remuera, and Devonport, the explosives J anchorage should be removed from the j inner harbour. At present its inner bounI dan' is only a good mile from the Railway Wharf, and the centre of it half a ' mile from the nearest foreshores of Parnell and Devonport. The mouth of the Tamaki River was a most suitable place as an explosive anchorage for small craft. The proposed new principal anchorage should be between Takapuna and Rr.ngitoto. It was probable that the future shipping traffic and population would demand that the anchorage should be removed to a more distant part, between Brown's Island, Rangitoto, and Motuihi, where there is a fine area of sheltered water, of good depth, and where all trani shipping could be done without risk to the city or to shipping. The Chairman (Mr. A. J. Entrican) eaid he did not think the anchorage should be in the channel at all. The risk to shipping was too great. Tamaki mouth was very suitable for small vessels, but Larger ones needed more Water, which might bo found at Motuihi. The subject was a very important matter, meriting full consideration.

The report was referred to the Works Committee. At the same meeting a letter was read from Mecsrs. Russell and Campbell that Mr. W. H. Hazard had accepted the Board's offer of £55 in settlement of his claim in respect of the explosion on the powder hulk some time ago.