WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 7

WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

"J" SHED TO BE REBUILT IN BRICK. THE WOOL TRADE. At yesterday's meeting of tho .Wellington Harbour Board, tho Wool Accommodation and "J" Shed Firo Committee reported that it could not decide betweon two altornativo schomes of wool accommodation, and therefore referred matters to the board for its determination. Tho chairman explained that after an exhaustive inquiry tho committeo wero evenly dividod as to what should bo done. One momber was absent from tho meeting of tho ■ committee. Although "K" shed was not in use in certain times in tho winter, it was clcar that increased wool accommodation must bo provided during the coming season. There wero two alternative proposals. Tho wool storage availablo before tho lire in "U" store was 235,000 cubic feet, in "J" storo 200,000 feet, "K." store 239,000, "P" store 190,000 feet, "L" store 65,000 feet, arid in tho King's Wharf No. 1 shed 200,000 feet, a total of 1,-129,000 feet. Tliev had lost 200,000 feet in tho "J" shed, tho King's Wharf No. 1 might or might not bo available, and tho latter must be assumed. Thore wero. 400,000 feet less availablo for tho trade from Amorica and England. If both sheds on the King's Wharf wore availablo they- would meet the shortage, but it would not provide for two wool pressed lost by the recent lire, and these must bo provided. The cost was £760 each, and the total oost of installing thorn, etc., would come to a total of £1000 each. His suggestion was that a now building of approximately double the capacity l of "J" shed bo erected on that site. The estimate was £15,000, but it would not be ready when wanted. A permanent building should bo erected on the site; the committee were unanimous on that. The difference of opinion was as to what should bo done in the meantime. Thore was a question for tho relieving of "P" shed for tho engaging of -labour, and it had been decided to wait until "Z" shed was erected, but this would cost £45,000. That would place standing charges amounting to £3500 annually on the board. Therefore he suggested a temporary shed with double the capacity of "J" shed,' with two presses, on tho reclamation, tho total cost to be £9000 for building and equipment. It would then be available for tho coming season. Next season tho accommodation would be 1,390,000 feet, and relievo tho "P" store. The cost of the building would bo saved on the erection of tho "Z" shed, which could be postponed; moreover, tho temporary shed would last for ten or twelve years. He moved: "That a new permanent shed be erected . on tho 'J' shed site of two stories, and that a temporary building of double the capacity of the "J" shed with two wool presses be erected on the reclamation, at the head of the King's Wharf, for a cost of'crection and equipment of £9000, providing a capacity of 406,000 cubic feet. Mr. J. G. Harkness seconded tho motion. His idea was that tho growing Wool trade in Wellington should bo provided for. Tho increase showed \that if facilities wore provided, Wellington would become the principal plaoo where tho salo of wool took place. He did not consider that the space quoted was an accurate idea of tho actual space available. Ho thought sheds 1 and 2 oft tho King's Wharf would be taken up by oversea trade. Ho even thought that wool for salo should not bo mixed up'with wool pressed for shipping.

Mr. It. Fletcher objected to spending £9000 on a temporary struoture. It was bottor to put up a good structure, and with a two-story building, tlio wool for salo could be exhibited in tlio top story. Ho moved as an amendment that the words after "two stories" iin the motion be deleted.

Mr. C. E." Daniells seconded the amend, ment.

Mr. M. Cohen asked if tbe new structure would hold hemp as well as wool. The chairman (Mr. Wilford) replied that it would. In reply to Mr. Cohen, the chairIrian added that so far as cheese was concerned,- although tlio board was keeping in mind the provision of cool atorago and accommodation for cheese and ib.uttor, the amount of cheese that would bo handled did not warrant expondituro 'at present, but butter had to be taken into consideration.' Mr. Cohen expressed tbe opinion that rvapier or Auokland wool would not come here, unless extraordinary facilities were offered. The Hon. T. K. Macdonald supported Mr. Fletcher's views. Mr. J. W. M'Ewan heartily approved of the motion. It had to bo borne in mind, he said, that the wool trade was increasing and it would have 'to be provided for.' Mr. P. G. Bolton thought the erection of a temporary structure a mistake, as the only question was the provision for the coming season. Ho ■ failed to see where tho returns for tho £9000 would come in after the first season, and he considered it unwise policy. The amendment was carried, the resolution, as amended, reading: "That a now permanent shed of two stories be erected on the 'J' shed site." KINC'S WHARF FINISHED. INTERESTING CEREMONY. Before yesterday's meeting of tho Harbour Board, Several ot the members, with other gentlemen, attended a function at the now King's Wliarf, when the completion of that important structure was celebrated by the placing of the last block. The ceremony was performed by tho ohairman of the board (Mr. T. M. • Wiltord, M.P.), and among r those present were Messrs. F. H. Fraser, R. -Fletcher, O. E, Dahiell, C. \V. JoneS, aild J. G. Harkness (members of the board), H. E. Nioholls (secretary). E. D. Caclleniaille (the hoard's engineer), A. do B. Brandon, W. G. Duthie (president of -the Chamber ..of Commerce), and Chas. F. Pulley (contractor). At the moment of tho laying or the block, on the decking near tho head of tho wharf, a flag we.;;- run up on tho tower at the other end of tho structure.

Tho chairman, having laid the block, referred in a brief Speech to the advantages whioh would accrue to tho Empire City through the completion of the Work, which Would relieve some of the pressure on the other ■ wharves. The contract for tho erection of the wharf, with two sheds and breastwork, was let on Soptembor 29, 1906, the prico being £79,440. The depth of Watel' ranged from 34 td 41 feet. The wharf measured 863 feet by 164 feet, and the two sheds of two,stories each were each 330 feet by 45 feet. The breastwork was 320 feet The area of the wharf was 3i acres, and it rested on 903 piles, the total length of which was 43,850 feet, or miles, equal to tho distance from the wharf to Lower Hutt. It wfts a big and costly wOrk. The Contractor, Mr. Pulley, had used machinery for processes usually carried out by hand. He had lisod ft planing machine for thieknessirtg beams and corbels, air compressors for boring bolt holes, and a boltmaking machine .. making bolts and rivets. Tho planing machine invented b,y Mr., Pulley had been of great assistance to him and to the board. Lie had had always at .work fivo electric motors, aggregating 48-h.p., and had also used a travelling gantry for quick handling of timber, arid very ingonious telescopic staging for the erection of principals in the shods. Altogether, Mr. Pulley's methods bad been most up-to-date. In conclusion, Mr. Wilford congratulated the hoard on that important addition to its assets, and expressed tlieir appreciation of Mr. Pulley's work as contractor. Thoi'e had been no friction between Mr. Ptilley and the board, and ho had the authority of the engineers in saying that the work could not have been done bettor or more faithfully. Tho board also appreciated tho Work of Mr. W. Ferguson and Mr. E. D. Caehomaillo (engineers), Mr. Powell (supervising inspector), and Mr. Drake (inspector). The wharf Would greatly assist the progress of tile promier and cheapest port of the Dominion. Mr. W. G. Dutllio (president of the Chamber of Commerce) congratulated the board on the completion of a great work. Tho value of sheds of such dimensions would be quickly realised by the board's employees and tho merchants of the city. Conflicting opinions had been expressed as to the advisability, of building tha sheds two

| stories high. He understood that such sheds wero considered a success at the great port of Manchester, and the experiment would, ho hoped, justify itself here by results.

Mr. A. de B. Brandon, speaking as an exMayor and an old resident, Said ho could romombftr the time when there Was 110 Queen's Wharf, and the land whore the Union Bank now stood was being reclaimed. The few steamers that came here thell were, loaded and unloaded by- means of lighters, and had to get their water from ft stream ilear Kaiwarra. Marvellous changes had since occurred, <ind when they recalled tlio primitive state of affairs to which lie referred they must realise, that Wellington showed ov'idenco of progress far exceeding that of aiiv other port south of the Line. Mr. F. H. Fraser said that, as tho oldest member of tho board, ho was very pleased to witness tho 'completion of its youngest wharf.

Mr. C. W. Jones expressed tho gratification of the shipping firms at tile provision of increased wharf accommodation. They , still wanted more, however, and ho hoped that that gathering was tho precursor of another to bo held before very much time had elapsed. The party then traversed the wharf and climbed to the top of tho tower at its outer ond.

Tho health of the contractor was toasted at tho instance of tho chairman.

Mr. Pulley, responding, said ho was sorry tho work had occupied so much time, but that was due to the lato delivery or tho pilos. Three parts of tho work had been done in tho last niu'o months, and it had been a. big struggle to get it finished so soon. He appreciated tho business-like manner in which he had always been treated by tho board and its officers.