O'NEIL'S POINT WHARF.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 40, 15 February 1908, Page 9

O'NEIL'S POINT WHARF.

The committee of the Harbour Board yesterday considered the question of the I amount to be expended in connection with the wharf at O'Neill's Point. The chairman (the Hon. K. Mitchelson) stated that the cost for a whartj as suggested in the first plan of the O'Xeill's Point Ferry Co., would be £7,055, including tke reclamation. To build a wharf similar to that at Stanley Bay, only 10ft. wide instead of sis> would cost £1,400, while.the cost of an eight acre reclamation and wharf at the end, together with necessary dredging, would be £15,572. Mr Xapier said that the last proposal would be a good one to keep in mind, but was hardly necessary just yet. Mr Entrican: "It would only be worth £200 an acre." ■ Mr Napier: ''No, £800 an acre has been refused for the land on the point." Mr Entrican: "Well, if the syndicate bought the land at £50 an acre and can get £800 for it, they can pay for the wharf themselves." In reply to Mr Keyee, Mr Napier said that the Stanley Bay Wharf cost £ 1,420, of which the residents contributed £100. He pointed out that the Takapuna project would benefit the public on both sides of the harbour. The chairman said that a return fare from Auckland to O'Neill's Point, round Lake Takapuna and back, as compared with 6d. to Stanley Bay. alone should assist the Board in arriving at a decision, for the people of Auckland would be catered for as well as those living in the district. Mr Entrican moved that the Board construct a wharf at a cost of £ 1,400, provided the residents contribute £700, the Board to defray the cost of dredging (£ a<554). Mr Keyes said that if the syndicate had raised the whole proposed capital of £ 100,000, they would not have come to the Board, but they had only raised £ 60.000, and this was required for the tram construction. He moved an amendment that the Board do the dredging only at Stanley Bay. The residents were a number of small settlers at O'Xeill's Point. A large syn.dicate was going to make £ 400 or £ 500 an acre out of it. Mr Napier said that Mr Keyes' attitude was different when £20,000 was wanted for works at Birkenhead and Northeote, and when another £11;000 was required for facilities there. Admittedly, this expenditure was necessary, but a smaller district than Takapuna would be served, and Mr Keyes' objection came with very ill-grace. Air Keves: "I was not a member of the Board when that expenditure was first granted.' , Mr Entrican's motion was adopted. A petition, signed by 16S residents of Takapuna, was presented by Mr Napier, asking the assistance of the Board in, the matter.