THE GATE OF THE CITY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2210, 24 July 1914, Page 10

THE GATE OF THE CITY

NEW FERRY WHARF WHERE THREE SYSTEMS MEET HARBOUR BOARD-S SCHEME

. General satisfaction was expressed by prominent shipping people in Wellington .yesterday concerning the Harbour Board's proposal to make the present Wool Wharf the permanent ferry wharf ror the Port of Wellington, Pactically tho same opinions were oxpressed in commercial circles, and several business men in the city, when approached by a Dominion reporter, said that when tho new railway station and wharf were completed facilities for tho travelling public would be the best in New Zealand. Shipping Manager's Views. Mr. \V. A. .Kennedy, manager for the local branch of tho Union Company, when asked to express an opinion on tho now proposal, said that although tho "Union Company would have preferred a more central berth at the Queen's Wharf, the Harbour Board's scheme to mako tho present Wool Wharf a permanent ferry wharf for tho WellingtonLyttelion ferry steamers was an excellent idea. He thought that when the necessary alterations .to the existing structure had been made the conveniences for the travelling public and shippers of goods by the ferry steapiers would bo second to'none. Mr. Kennedy pointed out that the new scheme would, to some extent, affect the questions of, transhipments for Lyttolton, as it would mean that the goods will have to be carted or conveyed on trucks for a ; considerable distance ' from the Queen's Wharf to the new ferry wharf. With fruit transhipments, quickness of dispatch was essential, and if two steamers conld be brought close to-, gether much time would be saved, and a greater amount of cargo handled in a | limited time. On tho other hand, with the proposed new railway station only three hundred yards away, and tlie trains one hundred yards from the steamers' side, the travelling publio would benefit greatly. Then, again tho work of handling cliecked and other luggage would be carried out without the contents becoming soaked in wet weathor, as at present.

"No More Suitable Place." Another well-known shipping man expressed the'opinion tliat no more'suitable placo could be found in the harbour. Ho pointed out that even with the 100 feet of additional length on to the present structure the work of navigating a steamer into lier berth would not'bo made difficult, especially if the ferry steamers are. berthed on the eastern side. When the wool wharf has been lengthened it will not make much difference, to steamers using the Customhouse Quay breastwork, or the north side of the Quoen's Wharf, because there would still be plenty of room for manoeuvring. On the whole, he added, .''l.do not think.that the Harbour Board could have made a better choice." Time and Money Saved.

Another a'spcct of the case was touched on by an engineer. He said that by altering tho Wool Wharf and not building a new ferry wharf, much time and money would be saved. He pointed out that to make tho necessary alterations would ,tako a - matter of months only, whereas it would take years to build a new wharf. He characterised the proposals, as outlined by the Harbour Board's engineer, as being exceptionally good, and said that they Jiaid evidently been well thought but. .'The new scheme will give the port of Wellington three extra berths at a comparatively small cost to that of building a new wharf. It was considered that by placing tho ferry steamers at a wharf which is practically useless at the present time, tho congestions at the port during the busy season would be much relieved. City's Front Door. According to tho city engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton), who,had seen the plans, there will bo close communication between the Ferry Wliarf and tho new Central Railway Station, and also between the wharf and tho tramway system, which it was proposed to alter so that practically all the cars in the service would pass the station. The new Ferry Wharf would form part of a remodelled entrance to. the city. As soon as the Railway Department had come to a definite settlement of its plans for tho new station it would be possible to lay out the final scheme for widening Bunny Street. It was proposed to make a triangular space, which Mr. Motron thought would be paved with compressed asphalt, and provided with "islands' to accommodate " pedestrians, facilitate tho movements of tho cars, and keep the road traffic in proper channels. Thus the wharf, the station, and the tramway system would all be linked together in the most convenient way. Then there would.be few cities in which equal facilities could bo found! so conveniently concentrated. The Ferry Wharf proposal fitted in excellently with tho general scheme for tho improvement of tho city.' Tho scheme in connection with- the proposal to link up the various systems had been under consideration by all parties concerned, and the Harbour Board's decision in regard' to the now Ferry Wharf was practically the final step in it.