TURUA WHARF.

Thames Star, Volume LX, Issue 16855, 4 August 1926, Page 5

TURUA WHARF.

THOSE PILES AGAIN. LETTER FROM TOWN BOARD. BOARD TO MAKE A VISIT. At the Harbour Board meeting last evening, further reference was made to the recent driving of piles at Turua, by a letter from the secretary of the Turua Town Board, which read as fol lows: “I have been instructed by this Board, at their last meeting, to again approach your Board with reference to the landing of metal at Turua for the Board’s works.'

“Since this matter was dealt with by your Board, a new position has arisen so far as this Board is concerned, insofar as the metal supplies for the remainder of the Board’s loan works must now be. obtained by the Board itself.as the contractoi's have now left Turua for good. “The chairman of this Board has discussed the question of supplies of metal for the completion of these works in the early spring with the engineer and chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, and it appears that the County Council will be able to supply this Board with metal from its Hikutaia quarry during the winter months on its own punts, at a lower Irate than can be obtained anywhere else. The Board would like to take advantage of this offer for a supply of about 650 yards of broken metal,'and to be able to get \this landed on the ground before work' commences, but is unable to do so unless the piles driven by your Board some time ago are removed. This Board now asks your Board to again review this matter, and again offers to give any binding guarantee it can to be fully responsible for any damage which might arise or occur to your Board’s property by any punts berthing or coming in to the old dock.

“No doubt a similar undertaking could be obtained from the Hauraki Plains County Council should they have need to use this dock for their punts at any future time. “This Board has been expecting a visit from a deputation of your Board for some time now, when it was hoped to again bring this matter before you, but this has not so far eventuated.” The engineer reported on same as follows:

“The letter of 16th. ultimo of the Turua Town Board to the chairman of the Thames Harbour Board, having been referred to me for comment, I beg to report as follows: “The probability of the Turua Board requiring metal supplies over the bank at the landing adjacent to the wharf approach was discussed by the Harbour Board chairman with the Town Board chairman some time ago, and it was then pointed out that the Harbour Board would assist in enabling the Town Board to form a new landing to the northward of the row of protective piles. “The cost of such landing would be about £BO, inclusive of the cost of road to same, and would be the means of providing a permanent site for the discharge of punts.

“The protective piling has already proved servicable, as Mr Stone informs me it caught up the landing pontoon when this was adrift last month in the gale and heavy flood current of the 11th. ultimo.

“It is evident that the Turua Board and the district within a limited radius of the wharf have an economic advantage in landing metal and gravel on the bank when it comes in punts without crane pr other means of discharge, and this would be perpetuated at a relatively small capital outlay by adopting the site north of the piles already referred to. “To remove the piles and go backto the old landing opens the way to the use of this .site by irresponsible parties.” * The local committee report stated:—“Your committee recommends with reference to the communication from the Turua Town Board, asking the Board to re-open the recently-closed landing stage adjacent to the wharf, and the engineer’s report thereon, that the Town Board be advised that it is impracticable to grant its request, but that this Board is willing and anxious to assist in any way possible, in which connection it is prepared to favourably consider the question of contributing equally with the Turua Town Board and the Hauraki Plains County Council towards the cost of constructing q suitable landing stage at any point not adjoining the Turua wharf approved by the engineer.” The chairman was about to comment on the Town Board’s application, when an appeal came from Mr Loughlin, who earnestly asked the Board to remove the piles. The dock proposed by Mr Adams was not suitable, and would cost a deal of money to fix it up. The old dock was in a bad position, and silted up, and a new dock would do the same. Protection by piling- could be obtained by driving the piles north and south. Why should the Board stand in the way of progressive farmers? There would be no injury to the wharf. The Board had its own man to guard against injury to the wharf. The roads that were required all led to Thames. The proposal would cost money. The chairman said he could hardly agree with the statement that the Board was standing in the way of the progress of the district. The Board’s policy had been to encourage the settlers. ' It had built a wharf out of revenue to suit Turua. Quite recently the Board had to replace the breastwork which had scoured out through the operation of the punts being unloaded at the bank. The engineer knew his business, and the piles were put there to safeguard the Board’s property. They had competent advice and they should not override it. They were doing everything to assist the district. He hoped in the future to put appliances on the wharf to land all goods. They were trustees of the people’s, property. If the site did not suit, then another landing place could be made to give the necessary convenience, but it would be a dangerous ■•xe Jteiß o) ojtsoddo o£ o} ajnpoaojcl pert’s advice. While wishing to do the

maximum for Turua they must safe- 1 guard their property. No danger of risk must be incurred. Mr Loughlin admitted the Board had stretched a point to erect the new wharf, and the settlers appreciated it* But a new dock would be costly, as a new hoist would have to be put up, Mr Edwards asked if the local committee had visited Turua. v The Chairman: No. Mr Edwards: Then I don’t think they are competent to report. The chairman said the request had only come in the last three days. Ifc\ was urgent. s Mr McCormick said the Board had promised to visit Turua, and the promise should be redeemed. The landing place was an old one. There had always been difficulty with erosion. Mr Edwards said he had no desire to go beyond the engineer’s advice, but the local committee should not have reported on the matter until a visit had been made. Mr Wagstaff agreed with this. He did not like questioning the local committee’s report, but there had been a lot of talk about the piles. He was not in a position to say what should be done, but the Board should visit • Turua. Mr Miller said he had no objection to postpone the matter until a visit was made. He had a lot of sympathy with the Turua people, but the Board’s property should be safeguarded. He would, be glad to visit the place. Mr Wagstaff: Is there any immediate hurry? The chairman said there was, as the, metal was wanted urgently. Discussion then followed as to when the visit should be made. Some members thought it could be left till before the next monthly meeting, as three members were away. It was then decided to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, August 31st., the Board to visit Turua on the morning of that day, and the matter be discussed at the meeting that evening.