TAKAPUNA PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 11

TAKAPUNA PROBLEM.

SEA V. LAND CARRIAGE.

HANDLING '.HEAVY . GOODS.

LANDING MOLE" SUGGESTED.

The bulk of the heavy traffic into the Borough of Takapuna—which, :in view of the amount of building '' now in progress and in prospect/ represents a very substantial aggregate—passes through Devonport, greatly to the detriment ot the roads of both municipalities. A cer- . tain proportion of the timber, ironwork, and gravel is carried by scows, which are beached at the Takapuna and Milford bays. There are, however, drawbacks in that scow traffic is hampered by the uncertainty of weather conditions, and that cartages the beach to terra firma adds a,heavy percentage to the landed cost of goods. To the Takapuna Borough Council the matter is of especial moment, as for the next few years, in connection with its street construction, water supply did sewerage schemes, there will be extremely heavy transport of weighty materials. Apart from the lessening of the friction upon the roads, the provision of a less expensive mode of landing goods would directly affect the cost of the water and sewerage schemes. It has therefore been suggested that an immediate economy in municipal works, as well as a permanent convenience to the inhabitants of the borough, would be effected if a proner landing-place, available in all weathers, were secured. An estimate has been given that ,a concrete mole, curved in form, available at any state of the tide, could be thrown out about the site of the old Takapuna Wharf, at a cost of £5500. The view is taken by the members of the council that the construction of such a •work would be ah excellent business stroke, and'that if it were not that the proposal to raise capital. sums. for ; really urgent purposes, already afoot, might be jeopardised if a supplementary loan item were added to the list, it ought to be undertaken at once. On the other hand, it is urged that i he arguments in favour, of the idea would appeal to the judgment of the ratepayers. • After an exhaustive discussion of the matter in commit ire, at a special meeting of. the council last tfveninc;, a resolution was passed in open council, that it be an instruction to the three committees of the council to interview the district engineer of the Public Works Department, and that, subject to his advice, they should advertise a proposal to raise a Joan not exceeding £5500 for the construction of a landing-place.