WESTERN FERRIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24821, 18 February 1944, Page 5

WESTERN FERRIES

SHOAL BAY PKOPOSAI INTERESTS OF NORTHCOTE The opinion that the real purpose of opposition "in certain quarters" to the. proposed central wharf at Little Shoal Bay had been clouded by the Automobile Association council's recent condemnation of the scheme has been expressed in a letter to the Hkiiald by the Mayor of Northcote, Mr. E. C. Fowler. The real purpose of the opposition, he contended, was to retain free maintenance of the present highway by the .Main Highways Board at the expense of motorists, transport operators and residents generally of the boroughs the new wharf would serve. "It is of no concern to the Automobile Association or to our Birkenhead neighbours that Northcote may, by their actions, be deprived of a direct ferrv service bv the closing of the Northcote Point wharf through disrepair," he added. The Automobile Association council had shown a total disregard for the true object of the central wharf scheme, which was to enable an immediate improvement to be made in the passenger service and to open up a short and easy route to the north, thus relieving the congestion now regularly occurring at Devonport.. ''While the present highway exists, no doubling up of the western vehicular ferry will affect the position, and the remodelling of existing plant at Birkenhead will not populariso this route," he said. "Conditions such as occurred at the Anniversary Day week-end must therefore continue indefinitely, and

these boroughs will he hindered in development through a poor ferry service. . . . "We would all welcome a bridge, and the Automobile Association is qiute right in supporting the proposal, but I question its right to oppose a feasible alternative unless it can guarantee that a bridge can and will lie soon," Mr. Fowler continued. J lie Northcotc wharf had always been siuiject to navigational difficulties and Jus chief concern was that when it became unsafe for use replacement bv a rigid structure might not be considered justified by the Harbour Board. He had also been assured by ferry boat masters that they would refuse to berth against a concrete wharf in bad weather. The Harbour Board was prepared to build a central wharf provided arrangements for constructing approaches could be completed. '1 he Government had commended the scheme _ and had promised to consider financial assistance, although no advice an to the amount had yet been received. Until that was known the Northcotc Borough could not make any plans or place anything before the ratepayers.