BOAT WANTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16816, 5 April 1918, Page 7

BOAT WANTED

ST. MARY'S BAY SCHEME. ADVOCACY BY OWNERS OF CRAFT. A attended ; meeting of yachtsmen, launch-owners, • and others ■ interested in the formation ' of a boat harbour at St. Mary's Bay was held ; in All Saints' parish hall, l'onsonby, last night.Mr. C. J. Parr, M.P., presided, and said that the meeting had been called in view of the extensive damage caused, to pleasure craft by the two recent heavy gales.' The damage to pleasure boats' had been .estimated at between - £4000 and £5000, and in order to prevent a recurrence of such extensive losses tho Harbour Board should construct a proper boat harbour. St. Mary's' Bay provided a natural site for such a harbour, for, with the construction of a protective wall and the necessary dredging, a safe' anchorage, covering ah area of 90 acres, could be provided. He suggested that those present form themselves into a committee and wait upon the Harbour Board, with a request that a site be set aside for a boat harbour,, ana when tho board's finances permit suitable protection for pleasure boats be provided. As a body, boatowners had been lax in the past in not forcing their wants upon the notico of the board,, and he felt that if they now put their case strongly the boarjl would not object to tho St. Mary's Bay area being set aside for the purpose named. Details of the Proposal.

Mr. F. E. Powell exhibited a plan setting forth a tentative scheme for the protection of the St. Mary's Bay anchorage. This provided for a substantial rubble wall in a line with the northern wall of the Freeman's Bay reclaim iation, and with a short turncd-in end lying parallel with, the western wall of the reclamation, providing an'entrance at that point. The wall forming the western end of the proposed harbour was shown on the plan running in shore some distance above-the fit. Mary's Bay Wharf, a gap left for the passage of the . tide being bridged by a pile wharf. Mr. Powell said it was proposed to'dredge the basin to a depth of 10ft, -thus removing the present sank bank, and to place the spoil on tho inside of the wall, giving tho wall a width of about 40ft on the top. Sheds .and facilities for beaching yachts and launches would bo provided on the breakwater. The area enclosed in this way would hold from 600 to 700 ordinary yachts and launches, which would be protected from northerly and north-easterly gales and heavy seas from tho west. The «chemo would cost approximately £30,000 Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., also spoke, saying that he was in thorough sympathy with the 'nr tovement, and was prepared to oupport the'yachtsmen in any scheme they might submit to the Harbour Board.

Mr. Parr' said that even if tho schemo cost £50,000 it would not be difficult to finance. The boat owners .would gladly pay £5 each per annum for storage of boats and dinghy space, and this would over the interest on the amount, while the ownors would not then be paying as much an they are. doing at present. Mr. E. J. Kelly, commodore of,the Ponsonby Cruising Clubhand Mr. G. Beckett also spoke in favour of the scheme. • Mr, J. H. Bradney, while not opposing the project, suggested that a harbour could bo constructed at Cox's Creek for a much smaller outlay. Deputation to Harbour Board. Mr. Parr moved that the meeting recommend to the Harbour Board that St. Mary's Bay, area C, be reserved for a boat harbour now, and that as soon as finances permit the board undertake a scheme for the proper formation , and building of a boat harbour at that area..

Tho motion was seconded by Mr.. J. Clark, representing the West End Row. ing Club, who said that his club had suffered heavily in the recent gales, its shed being wrecked and the majority of its boats (mashed.

The motion was carried, and,it was resolved that all those present wait on 'the Harbour Board as a deputation .on Tuesday next at 3.15 pirn., to place the views of the meeting before the board. Messrs. C. J. Parr and C. H. Poole, M.P.'s, and J/ Johnson (R.N.Z.Y.S.), and J. Clark were appointed speakers for the deputation. ')

A standing committee, consisting of Messrs. C. J. Parr, C. H. Poole, J. John, son, J. Clark, E. J/ Kelly, C. J. Collings, F. Chalmers, D. Ross and J. H. Bradney, was set up to keep matters in connection with boat protection before the Harbour Board and the public. '