THE LOCAL WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2569, 19 April 1923, Page 3

THE LOCAL WHARF.

PROVISION FOR CART ACCESS

DISTRICT ENGINEER CONFERS WITH HARBOUR BOARD. —For.some time past the local Harbour Board has been in communication with the General Manager of (Mr McVillev), in connection with matters affecting access to the local wharf. As is known the only access to the wharf frontage and endowments is through the railway yard and across the shunting tracks. The river frontage in the locality is looked upon by the Harbour Board as a valuable endowment if access can be obtained to same. Several firms are prepared to lease land from the Board in the locality for storage building purposes but until the Board can provide access the endowment is useless for revenue purposes. As the outcome of correspondence between the Board and the Department, Mr MeVilley, accompanied by tlie Engineer-in-Chief, and other Departmental officials, made an inspection of the wharf and the Board endowment some time since. In reply- to the Board’s request- for permanent right of access, Mr MeVilley pointed out that this could not be acceded to owing to the restricted area for railway purposes. He pointed out that it would be a foolish policy on his part to part with land which in the future might be required for railway extension purposes. Already the Board possessed one road way and right of access had been granted to Messrs Levin and Co. for a period of years. He was not antagonistic to the Board but rather desired to assist them as an increase in shipping meant extra traffic on the railway. He and the engineer pointed out that the Board could gain access to the wharf by the construction of a road which would run parallel with the railway line coming out on the Lady's Mila. He would, however, give careful consideration to the request for access with certain safe-guards over a short period, say 21 years. He would also favourably consider cart access across the rails. The Board expressed its appreciation of the fair manner in which Mr MeVilley had considered its requests and subsequently received an intimilation that access would be granted for a period of 21 years to Messrs Levin and Co.'s frontage at the expiration of their present lease. He also intimated that the District Engineer would confer with the Board in reference to a cart access across the rails.

Yesterday morning Mr J. K. Lowe, District Engineer, met Meschairman and Hol--1 member of the Board, at the wharf. Three suitable cart crossings were located and the Board asked for a special crossing giving access to their storage shed. Mr Lowe took a sketch of the localities and will draw up recommendations for the General-Manager’s approval.