PORT CHALMERS WHARVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS WHARVES

PROVISION OF RAIL FACILITIES DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANCE SOUGHT A request that the department should assist in the provision of the rail facilities which will be necesary on the completion of the Otagtf Harbour Boards programme of proposed improvements to the wharvee at Port Chalmers was placed before the Railways Board on its arrival in Dunedin yesterday by a deputation from the Harbour Board, comprising the chairman (Mr J. B. Waters), Messrs T. Scollay, A. Campbell, and F. Tyson. Mr Waters eaid that the board had drawn out a programme of improvements to the Port Chalmers wharves which would extend over three years, and would involve an expenditure of £40,000. It was proposed to widen Bowen pier by 18 feet, and to deepen the berthage, so that the largest steamers visiting the port could be efficiently handled. The new berths would be equipped in as modern a manner as was possible, and as soon as this had been carried out the board asked the co-operation of the Railways Department in providing an extra line of rails. The cost of the work on this pier was estimated at £13,000, but the board also proposed to spend the large sum of £27,000 on improving the George street pier. The rails on this wharf were at present in a very inconvenient position for the efficient loading and unloading of vessels, and the board hoped that in this respect also the department would lend its assistance. Asked by the acting chairman of the board (Sir James Gunson) to define the department's position, the general manager of railways (Mr G. H. Mackley) said that the matter was one for the officers of the department to investigate and report to the board. An important question of policy was involved, and he would not like to say to what extent, if at all, the department was committed in the matter of laying rails-on the wharves. Sir James Gunson assured the deputation that the board would be happy to consider its representations from every aspect, and to ascertain what obligation, if any, lay on the department to lay lines at its own expense. Messrs Scollay, Tyson, and Campbell supported the spokesman's request ,and after Mr Waters had thanked the board for the harmonious manner in which the local officers of the department had cooperated with the board in the laying of the rail connection to Victoria wharf, the deputation withdrew.