MORE SPACE WANTED

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2196, 8 July 1914, Page 6

MORE SPACE WANTED

« EXTENSION SCHEME FOR CORPORATION YARDS IMPROVING THE CLYDE QUAY SURROUNDINGS PROPOSAL TO THE CITY FINANCE .;■.■■:;■■.;• COMMITTEE For somo timo past both the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) and tho City Engineer (Mr. W. H ; Morton) have not'becn at all satisfied w(tji tlio cramped and higgledypiggledy stuto of tho Corporation yards ai Clyde Quay, occasioned in tho main through coilgestion and bad planning. As long-a*'two years ago tho Mayor stated thai this yard would have to bo remodelled,' and tho present rusty iron fences au'cLghod walls replaced by a decent coucrc'to wall as a step towards making ■ tho- approach to Wellington's most popular promenade at least presentable. But timo has rolled on, tho work of tho City has naturally increased, whilo tho yard remains practically tho same—an eyesore to anyone who cares to talco a look round. As tho demands on tho space become greater, tho congestion 'increase), and thero aro now engineers, lllu.ubers, blacksmiths, tlio city dustmen, fitters, tho stables, nnd a concreto pnving-stono manufacturing department nil located in the same 21-aere block, which, spec also includes the new and tho old rubbish destructor, largo engino rooms- (for tho drainage system), and the City Morguo. Inspecting tho Cround. Yesterday, with tho assistance and co-operation-of tho Wellington Harbour Board (represented by the chairman, Mr. Robert Fletcher), and Mr. J. Marchbanks (engineer), tlio City Engineer submitted a schemo to tho Financo Committee of tho City Council that will probably lead to a concrete nroposition and definite, negotiations in the inmicdiato future. Mr. Morton pointed out to tho committee hoiv congested the Corporation yard was. conducting them all over the block, and also pointed out that it was absolutely necessary for tho City to aequira more land in a convenient and handy epot. Complaints wero being received over tho coal that was deposited on tho section in Harris Street; they were liablo to bo ordered off tho section at tho back of tho Opera House, and the corner of Wakeficld and Taranaki Streets at any timo. That would only leave tho triangular corner near the tramways power-house for the ■ storago of coal. Ho was of opinion that they should always have at least six months' stock of coal in hand, and thoy must havo a place to store it... They must also have nioro room to storo iwlcs and other gear in. connection with itho tramways and city works. For theso reasons ho recommended tho committee to consider the acquisition of a block of tho now reclaimed land adjoining, and immediately to the west of, the present Corporation yards. The proposal was to acquiro an area of 2 acres 2 roods and 29 perches of land (really part of the abandoned dock site), which would mean a block extending westward to a |mint or a line with tho western side of lllair Street. The Harbour Board, which was willing to "trade," stipulated that tho, present 40ft. entrance to tho block from Clyde Quay should bo widened to GOft. (involving tho setting back or removal of tho Morgue), which street would load naturally past tho block proposed to bo acquired by tho City (following tho railway reserve fence), to a chain wido street, that led direct to tho sea-front Tho road would travel tho full frontage of tho block, nnd another would be made on the northern side, giving easy access to tho Clyde Quay Wharf (now practically reserved for coal and timber boats). New Goal De.iot. It was also suggested by Mr. Morton that ono end of tho block could be utilised as a coal depot, and that coat could I easily be trucked on rails from tho wharf to tho depot, and by *.lw ordinary tramrails to any desired point on the tystem. Tho blojk'would also be in close proximity to the other threo wharves tho Harbour Board proposes to build in tho futnro Vtween tlio Tavanalii Street auQ Clvdo Qua) , wharves. Tho plan submitted by Mr. Fletcher shows that Cablo Street (which Odlin's building faces) travels east and west right through tho block (6Gft. wide), nnd tho blocks are divided north and south by three chaiii-iride streets, which lead smith from tho head of the three proposed new wharves. Cable Street would end (under tho proposal) in tho Corporation's block, and it was pointed out that the existence of Mich a street would bo a great .relief to Wakefield Street in the busy: tbues to ciMiie. . Tho" jl,:i.vftf and members of the committeo apprared to be very favourably impressed with the proposal, which will be gone into thoroughly and reported imoii beforlvjt is submitted to the council. The question of the cost has not yet been gone into. Mr. Fletcher stated that an upset ■vftllio had been placed on tho sections, which were now yradically on tho market, but it will necessarily bo somo lime brforo any substantial building can badone owing to the recent date of the reclamation at that point.