WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5556, 18 January 1879, Page 3

WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

The deputation appointed by the City Council waited upon the Hon. the Minister for Public Works at 11 a.m. yesterday, relative to the necessity for increased wharfage accommodation, and more particularly with a view to ascertaining when the railway wharf would bo commenced. His Worship the Mayor, as spokesman, said ! We have come Mr. Macandrew to urge upon you the necessity that exists for increased wharfage accommodation. We find that every day the difficulty is increasing. Only about ten days'ago oven the steamers could not bo berthed, and besides this there were some two or three vessels lying in the_ stream, and it is perceived that every week increases the difficulty. If the Te Are reclamation had been gone on with it was the intention of the Corporation to run out a wharf as quickly as possible, but as yon are aware, they have now no power to do that, nor even to use the breastwork. Wo are only using it on sufferance now for the unloading of small vessels, so that it is impossible for the Corporation to do anything towards removing the difficulty. However desirous they might be to do so, they have no power, and we come here to ask you to be good enough to press on the railway wharf. Hon. Mr, Macandrew : Is there any difficulty with regard to the Government allowing the use of the breastwork along Custom House-quay as a wharf ? The Town Clerk : There was a BUI for that purpose introduced last session, which was thrown out. Hon. Mr. Macandrew : I should not tlunk that would stand in the way. With regard to the railway wharf, Mr. Blackett tells me that the plans are finished, and that they are getting on as fast as possible with the specifications. These, I am informed, will be ready for tenders to be called in ten days or a fortnight. The piles and other material are there, and I am in hopes that it will not be very long before the work will be in hand, unless the tenders are beyond the mark. The Mayor : You propose then to call for tenders within ten days or a fortnight ? '

Hon. Mr. Mac an drew : As soon as the specifications are complete, which Mr. Blackett says will be in ten days or a fortnight. The Mayor : Then we may rest assured that the work will be pushed on as fast as possible ? Hon. Mr. Macandhew : The plans are all prepared, and the department is getting on with tho specifications as fast as they can. They have had orders to get this done for months past, but there has been such a press of work, I suppose, that they have not been able to overtake it. The plans, as I before said, are ready, and they are getting on with the specifications as fast as possible. Councillor Thompson ; Could a draft plan be submitted to the Council, to give them an idea of the position of this wharf ? Hon. Mr. Macandrew : I can show you the position of it now, as it has been fixed upon for years. The plans were here shown to the deputation by the Minister for Public Works. The Mayor : Can you say what aocommotion that wharf will give ? Hon. Mr. Macandrew : I will send for Mr. Blackett. It is 750 ft. long from the look of it. I have no doubt whatever that you will want another wharf as well. I should not, therefore, abandon your own intentions with regard to increased accommodation. I think Custom House-quay might be used as a wharf. What is the depth of water along there ? Councillor Allen ; About Bft. of water. Mr. Blackett here entered the room. Hon. Mr. Macandrew : The deputation want to be informed as to how many ships this wharf will accommodate. Of course that would greatly depend on their length. Mr, Blackett : The wharf can be increased indefinitely. Its length as shown on this plan is 650 ft, net. A small reclamation is required to give the necessary curves, &c, Hon. Mr. Macandrew : I think you have got all the information you want. The deputation thanked the Minister for his courtesy, and withdrew.