LARGE FERRY TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 11

LARGE FERRY TRAFFIC.

OFFICIALS LOOK AHEAD.

PROVISION OF FACILITIES. THE VEHICULAR LANDING. Some mteiesting forecasts on the future growth of tho cross-liarbour ferry traffic were contained in the reports of officers submitted to the Auckland Harbour Board, in connection with the engineer's scheme for the development of the port. The traffic manager, Mr. W. It. Golden, said that some of the ferry services were growing at a rate that did not appear to be generally recognised. This was particularly the case in connection with the passenger traffic to Devonport, whiolt was becoming heavy, due, he thought, to tho bus service between that point and Takaputia. The vehicular traffic to Devonport had also grown out of all proportion to all other services. In view of the great amount ot traffic which would eventually be handled, a small partly-enclosed area should be provided at Devonport so that boats could berth encl-on in a narrow slip and discharge inward passengers on one side while taking outward passengers aboard on the other. This was the only way in which a high state of efficiency and economy in boat operatiou could ba achieved, and was desirable on account of strong tides and frequent high winds which sometimes made it difficult for ferry masters to maintain even the present time-table.

The next ferry traffic point which would demand attention before many years, added Mr. Golden, was Northcote, which, on account of its geographical position and easy access must, eventually, become the point of entry and exit for all the country lying south and west of 'l'akapuna, and probably the bulk of the east coast vehicular traffic ■also. When rebuilding at this point it was most desirable that a new site for the wharf should, if possible, bo secured. This was rendered necessary by the rap-idly-increasing vehicular traffic which would soon outgrow all the space adjoining the present wharf. Somewhere in the bays either west or east of Stoke's Point would be suitable, preferably on the western side near the Northcote gasworks. Dealing with the question of the proposed vehicular landings, the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, said that with the construction of the suggested viaduct across Freeman's Bay, it would be necessary to remove the Hobson Street landing. He considered that the suggested sites for the new landings, one to the east of King's Drive, and one to the west of Western Wharf, were very satisfactory from a navigational point of view, as well as making distances for the vehicular boats crossing very much shorter. The position for the western vehicular berth, however, was very exposed to westerly winds, and it would be necessary to construct the proposed breakwater off St. Mary's Bay before the vehicular berth could be used in all weathers.