HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15566, 25 March 1914, Page 11

HARBOUR BOARD.

THE PASSENGER WHARVES. OUTLAY AND REVENUE. RETURN TO BE PREPARED. The Auckland Harbour Board met yesterday. There were present; Messrs. J. H. Gunson (chairman), H. D. Heather, J- S. Bond, G. R. Hutchinson, E. W. Alison, W. B. Leylaud, J. H. Bradney, H. H. Adams, H. R. Mackenzie, W. E- Hutchison, C. Bagley, and J. Fisher. A proposal brought forward by Mr. Bond caused some discussion. Mr. Bond moved, "That a return be furnished to the board showing (a) the total capital cost of the respective ferry and passenger wharves, and portions of wharves used exclusively for passenger traffic, from 1900 to date; (b) the revenue derived during 1913 from the firms or companies (separately) using the said wharves, and the rate per cent, such revenue bears to the capital cost of construction ; (c) the average annual charge for the past three years, for supervision and maintenance." The mover remarked that there was a general impression that the board was not getting a suitable return for the capital outlay on the ferry wharves. Mr. J. Fisher seconded the motion. Mr. Bradnoy said he saw no objection to the information asked for being obtained, but he took exception to the motive that appeared to animate the request. It was the duty, ho considered, of the board to provide all accommodation necessary for tho ferry services- Some of the expenditure on the ferry wharves was not justified, and if it was the intention to get direct interest on the outlay by increasing the charges tho travelling public would have to pay. After pointing out that the ferry services were tho cheapest in Australasia, especially for family tickets, he expressed the hope that the board would not. in its greed to obtain revenue, increaso the charges to the ferrv companies. Rather than this, he urged that the big shipping companies should be further taxed.

Mr. C. - Bagley expressed surprise at the remarks made by the previous speaker. "Mr. Bradney," he said, "asks for more information than all the other members of the board put together, yet when others ask for information he implies motives!'' Mr. Bagley added that he was at a loss to understand the remarks of Mr. Bradney. The suggestion thrown out by the latter was contrary to factMr. Bradney rose to explain that ho had not objected. to the information being asked for. Mr. Entrican considered that . there should be no discussion on the motion until tho return sought was placed before the board, Mr. Alison said he would like an Explanation of what was meant by portions of tho wharf. It seemed an extraordinary suggestion to him that companies should be charged for portions of a wharf. Mr. Bond explained that what ho had ill mind was the portion of Queen's Wharf used for ferries. What he desired was to have the capital account with regard to the ferries placed on a fair' footing. He agreed that every facility should be given to companies with regard to the ferry services. The board did not want to obtain interest on all its works. If it did so it would be a very rich body. The motion was carried.

SILTING AT WAIUKTJ. NEED FOR DREDGING. The manager of the Northern Steamship Company drew the board's attention to .the urgent need for the dredging of the swinging basin at Waiuku Wharf. "This basin," he wrote, "was made to allow the steamers to turn at the •wharf, and in the past has been kept clear by the local bodies, helped by the Marine Department. At the present time it has so silted up that even our new shallowdraught steamer, Waiuku, drawing only 2ft 3in of water, is not now able to turn, at neap tides, and we have had reluctantly to instruct our master to go as far as the Spit Wharf when these tides are on. Should nothing be done, "we have no hesitation in saying that in a short time the basin will so silt up that the vessel will not be able to get to the "Waiuku Wharf even at spring tides, and we would, therefore, request that the matter be given the urgent attention of the board." Mr. Ranson added that his company had gone to considerable expense in building a spe daily-designed fast shallow-draught boat for the trade, with a view to giving the Waiuku settlers quick and direct service to Auckland.

The letter was referred to committee, and the engineer was instructed to furnigh a report.

STORING OF GOODS. REVISING THE BY-LAWS. Mr. Hutchinson moved, "That a committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. A. J. Entrican, P. Virtue, and the mover, be set up to go into the question of the advisability or otherwise of revising the by-laws relating to the storage on goods at Auckland wharves." The mover stated that the board had provided great conveniences for the storage of goods, but the fullest advantage was not taken of these conveniences. He had adopted this method for obtaining a set of returns.

The chairman said the question was an important one, affecting the policy of the board. On his suggestion the name of Mr. Ley land was added to the proposed committee, and the motion was carried.

LANDING PLACE WANTED. PETITION FROM TAKAPUNA. A petition from Takapuna residents was received bringing under the board's notice the necessity for providing a landing place for goods at the foot of Esmonde Road— a new road being formed to give access from the foreshore of Shoal Bay to the centre of the eastern end of Takapuna. At present, the petitioners stated, all goods, including timber and heavy materials, had to be carted at a very high cost from Devonport or Bayswater, and the progress of Takapuna was very much re-1 tarded in consequence. The matter was referred to committee. NEW EIVEEHEAD WHARF. CHANNEL SILTED UP. The board in committee reported having received a deputation on behalf of the Riverhead Progressive League, consisting of Meusrs. V. Kerr Taylor, 0. Clifton, and H. E.' Smith, with . reference to the new Riverhead Wharf. The deputation pointed out that since the basin was dredged the channel had silted up, and requested that the latter be cleared. It was also suggested that a crane for goods be provided on the wharf, and that the old wharf be removed. The chairman promised - that the requests would receive consideration.

It was decided to send a reply to the deputation to the effect that until such 'time as the tidal lands of the harbour ■were vested in the board, the board could not' sec its way to alter its prions decision that no further work be done.

MISCELLANEOUS. COMPRESSOR AND GAS ENGINE Tenders for a compressor, gas engine, eta., were opened. The chairman stated that it was necessary to have these conveniences at the board's quarry at Rangitoto. The stono from the quarry was being' used for the tide deflector and for Halsey Road and other roads at Freeman's Bay. The cost of the work would be much cheaper by having the compressor and gas engine. The tenders were left in the hands of the chairman and engineer, and they were given power to accept the most suitable.

In reply to the board's letter requesting the continuation of the formation of Beaumont Street to its full width as far as the northernmost boundary of the section, the town clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson) wrote stating that the city engineer reported that the work was now in hand, and that he hoped to make a start with the sewer in a few days. The board in committee made reference to a letter from Mr. R. F. Moore requesting the board's approval of plans of bridges proposed to be erected across the Hingaia and Wb'&ngamaire Streams. It was decided that the plans of the two bridges be approved, subject to the modifications recommended by the engineer. A letter from the Auckland Yacht and Mdtor Boat Association in respect to the use of gridirons in protected areas was considered by the board in committee, together with the harbourmaster's report recommending that notice boards be placed on' each of the gridirons, stating that only boats registered in the protected areas would be allowed to use the gridirons, and that no boat was to use the gridirons for more than two tides without a special permit from the harbourmaster. The recommendation of the harbourmaster was adopted, and a reply sent to the association accordingly. The Marine Department forwarded a copy of the plan showing a bridge over a tidal creek on the upper reaches of the Auckland Harbour, which the Waitemata County Council proposes to construct. As the bridge would be over navigable waters the-Department desired to have the opinion of the board as to whether it considered the work should be approved, more particularly as regards the head room required for navigation. The matter was referred to committee, the engineer and harbourmaster to report.