AUCKLAND WHARVES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 October 1908, Page 4

AUCKLAND WHARVES.

"NATURAL DISADVANTAGES.** (BT TELIGttANI.—SrECIAIi COHEE3PONDIWT.J Auckland, October 23. Captain Kempson. of tho Shaw, Savill Company's merchant steamer Athenic, prior tc leaving for tho South to-day, told an inter* viewer that he had nover seen a finer wharf than tho Auckland Railway Wharf. He, however, qualified his praiso by pointing out the natural disadvantage of tho Auckland Pior for berthing purposes, caused by tho' tide running right across tho end of it. This, of course, was due to Auckland's geographical position, and not to any fault in tha pier, although the . great rigidity of ferroconcrete had to be considered when berthing. For these two reasons big ships like his own would only be able to berth alongsido at slack water. This difficulty was not met with at Wellington, where the tide was not so pronounced, and did not run across tho piers. Captain Kempson suggested that iii order to lessen tho rigidity of the new ferro. concrete pier wooden fenders should be placed alongside. There was no "givo" in a ferro. concrete wharf like there was in a wooden pier. Ferro-concrcte was just as unyielding as a granite pier. Captain Kempson pointed out that Auckland's geographical position which made it ncccssary to build tho pierj across tho strength of tho tide would alwajv be to its detriment as .1 port for big ships. When the port becamc such a busy 0110 a3 to make it pay tugs to be constantly read* to take ships alongside, >tlie handicap would, bo largely removed. In England thero. wero tugs always waiting, and-, big ships liko th» Athenic wero nover berthed without tugs.bt. ing in readiness, even if they were not. used*