HEADS PARK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 46, 7 August 1939, Page 5

HEADS PARK

\ ■ • . -V v , : • , ~ ...'scheme'!",. ' ~;; i*< • n \ ' ■ -> 1 / ; ' ' 7 '■ REPORT OF ENGINEER i -:i J'■ ■ Mr C. H. Brebncr, Engineer to the board reported on harbour matters as follows when the Whakatane Harbour Board met at Whakatane on Friday: Centennial Parking Area: In accordance with the board's instructions plans and specifications were prepared in conjunction with the borough council for a centennial parking area at The Heads. T he work of construction is now well in hand and will result in, providing a valuable asset to the people of the borough and district. The writer lias kept in close touch with the chairman in all matters pertaining to this work ancl many of his suggestions have been embodied in the scheme. The stone wall facin,g the sea will be cement grouted and a stone coping will be built with a concrete footpath, kerb and channel, on the land side. A winding pathway will be carried around the southern side on the hill slope and rough seats provided in several places where people can sit and admire the view. this pathway will be carried on past the parkins! area following the natural contour of the country past shady trees, where level places will be excavated for the use of picnic parties, until it:-drops down to the beach some seven or eight chains away. Proper provision is being made for drainage and the whole area will have a distinct grade downwards from the hill towards the sea. Suitable grasses will be sown when the area is ready. The cost of the Work will not exceed the estimate.

Wairere Bank: The contractor is being pressed to carry out the com pletion of this long delayed work. He states lie will have to use a drag line as the river bed is too soft for lorry work. , Wooden Wharf Replacement: The writer when, recently in Wellington interviewed the Marine Department in connection with the replacement of 120 feet lin of old wooden wharf with a concrete structure. The distance between the first wharf erected In concrete and the last one constructed is 212 feet. It was my intention to build a section consisting of 7 sixteen foot spans with a short cantilever junction span being 116 feet overall. This would leave 96 feet of work too be completed in, the futuie. The department considered it desirable to plan now for the complete structure so that it could be seen how the two sections would synchronise. Then on approval of the plans the first section could be let by contract. This will entail additional work in, preparing the plans etc.. but it will be carried out as expeditiously as possible and the necessary approval secured. The board 'will note that the approval of the Marine Department must be secured before tenders can be called.

Original Concrete Wharf: On making an inspection under the original concrete wharf a few days ago *he writer noticed that at a n-umbor 01 points the reinforcing was exposed. Patching, should be carried out at these places as soon as possible. Launch: The patent lavatory has come to hand for the board's launch. The writer inspected the launch with the harbourmaster with a view to choosing the most suitable place foiils installation. It will be placed up against the bulkhead on the port side Of the after cabin. HEADS PARK In the . discussion following the reading of -the report Mr McGougan said that . had inspected the work at The Heads and that he was very pleased with the scheme. He thought that the stone wall would be an improvement on the perpendicular concrete one. The chairman, Mr J. W. Sumner, said that visiting members of the Bay of Plenty Centennial Committee had inspected the park and they had been astounded at the progress and thoroughly approved of the schemc. When the wharf extensions were discussed it was decided that tenders be called for the full length of 212 feet with alternative tenders for 120 feet. It was pointed out that since the plans and specifications had to be prepared it would cost the board nothing to get a price for the whole job.