THORNDON RECLAMATION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 55, 28 November 1921, Page 6

THORNDON RECLAMATION

RETAINING WALL WANTED.

The necessity t'ofr proceeding with ths construction of the Thorndon retaining wall and reclamation work was referred, to by Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P., secretary «<f the Progress League, on Saturday. Mr. Mitchell said the proposed retaining wall wojild extend from the northern end of the existing sea wall on the Waterloo Quay reclamation and on the same line for a distance of alxmt 2750tt., making a total length with the existing .wall in. one line of 3650 ft. of deep-water frontage. The wall iVould then turn towards Kaiwarra 'Tor a distance of about 1100 ft. The deep-water frontage, with a strip of land, would be dedicated to the harbour, and would provide Wellington with wharfage accommodation. sufficient to serve a population increased many times over. Git the new waterfront it was proposed to construct a coal berth with modern, appliances for the discharging and handling of coal, which' should be a big factor in reducing the cost. At the Kaiwarra end of the proposed reclamation provision was made for a floating dock. 4 road would continue from Waterloo Quay between the Harbour Board frontage and the railway yard, connecting with the Hutt Road by an overbridge. T'ho new sea walls would enclose an area ol about 67 acres, which is m nearlv all water; this, with the Thorndon 'Esplanade, which would be taken, over from the council, would provide about thirty-seven acres when reclaimed After providing for the Harbour Board’s share and acres would be avhilable tor the Railway Department over .and above the area now occupied in the Thorndon ra - wav yard. On this land would be constructed a modern r “ ilwa y y ard nil the latest methods and apjr.iances for the economical handling ot freight. The reclamation providing for another railway yard would clear the way tor a new station, for until the yard was available nothing could be done to. alter the wretchedly inadequate and inconvenient station conveniences which tne public put up with to-day. The new station wou.d face UTia 7' Street, taking up the area from Featherston Street to Waterloo Quay. . It •would have five platforms with eight passenger sidings. The platform arrangements would lie after the design of Waterloo platform, which soldiers, who went from Sling Camp from London, were familiar with. It was proposed to run the trams round in from. of the station. The goods sheds and yard situated along Waterloo Quay would be so arranged as to give maximum facilities and efficiency. The new traffic bridge over the railway line near tho present Thorndon station would give access to the yard from the north. ■ “You will therefore see that the n hole question of harbour extension, better coal handling facilities, dock, railway yard, facilities for handling . goods, a new railway fetation, and efficient tram connection;'in fact, the whole future development and progress of Wellington depends on the retaining wall and reclamation,” said Mr. Mitchell. . It has been promised over and oyer again. The men are idle who could construct it. and the dredge is standing idle which could be reclaiming the land. It nHI take some years to construct, but docs not require a big outlay 0$ capital for the first vear or two. In justice io tho I 1 »wl TOP

Railway Department, cur people, and tor eeonom'v and efficienc/ it should be proceeded with at once. The Harbour Board agreed lo the draft agreement months ago, but so far the final agreement hns not reached them the Railway Department fo'r signature.