EASTERN BOAT HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 17

EASTERN BOAT HARBOUR.

HOBSON BAY SCHEME.

AN UNFAVOURABLE REPORT.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's scheme for foiming a boat harbour in the triangular area of Hobson Bay between the Oiakci end of the waterfront road and tho railway embankment came betore the Auckland liaibour Board yesterday through a letter from the district engineer of the Public Works Department, who enquired whether the board would be prepared to contribute toward the cost of raising No. 2 bridge on the waterfront road 4ft. to allow launches

to pass beneath it. The letter stated that, the permanent bridge would be erected shortly, and the matter was therefore urgent. If raised as proposed, it would permit launches rising 7lt. 6in. above the waterline to pass beneath. The estimated cost of raising the bridge ran from £668 for one foot to £5709 for five feet. For four feet it was £3437.

The board's engineer, in a report, stated that the design of the bridge, as approved by the board in April last, gave a clearance of just under 6ft. 6in. at mean high water. The area within was dry at low water .spring tides, except for a channel leading to a bridge in the railway embankment. This channel was being dredged by the Public Works Department., a fact which might affect the use of the basin bv pleasure craft. He considered that as the board had expended a largo sum m providing a boat harbour at St. Mary's Bay it should not be called upon for expenditure on the new proposal, particularly-' in view of the depth of water end means of access. The matter was referred to tho board in committee.