PROPOSED SLIP AT ORIENTAL BAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5331, 29 April 1878, Page 3

PROPOSED SLIP AT ORIENTAL BAY.

~(ju Saturday a deputation, consisting of Mtasrs. Stevens, Wilkins, and Wilson, waited tipon the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, to oppose the erection of a patent slip at Oriental Bay by Messrs. Coffey and Dixon. After the deputation had explained the object of their visit, The Hon. Mr. Maoandbew said it would appear that the permission of the Government for the erection of the slip at Oriental Bay had beeh given, after the City Council, the Marine Department, and the Harbor-master had expressed their assent to its proposed conthrough all, the various miHa before the' Government gave permission. How, it appeared that the residents of the district, almost to a man, protested against the slip being con-' structed. : -

Mr. Stevens replied that the residents would have protested before the decision was given had they known of the application, but the first intimation they had of it was a local in a paper, ' ' ' ,i Mr. Macakdbew thought the residents had also complained of sand from the foreshore being taken away by the Corporation. Mr. Stevens said that had been stopped. Mr. Maoandbew .would make it his business to find out the state of the title to the foreshore. He was Under the impression that the foreshore could not be encroached upon by anybody,—that was to say, if it was | n same position as other foreshores; and if it was not so it ought to bo made so. Further *? th «P r °P° 3ed dip should bo made by the Marine Department, Mr. S'.rayENß aa ! d the residents objected to the slip being in the bay, or at the point between the bay and the town. There worn plenty of sites beyond the bay. 0 Mr. MiOAHDEEW understood it was alleeed that tbo slip would Interfere with the tweess ti the bay, and would In fact stop the railway Mr, Stevens said the present slip on Clydequay had blocks and tackle worked across 'the road. ■

Mr, Maoandbew thought that would be only when vessels were being. hauled inp or lowered. ■ ■

Mr. Stevens contended that at the proposed site there would bo no room for yards to work in, and the road would be lumbered up. ‘ If the slip were erected beyond the bay it would not interfere with anybody.' Mr. Maoawdbevt held that would ho a mere question of time. By-and-byo a slip beyond

tho hay would interfere as much with residents as one in the bay now would. It seemed rather a pity that such an industry should be as, it were driven out of tho place. Ho would Idee to see a dozen slips if there was work for all of - them. Mr, Stevens assented, bub did not wish to see slips erected to the injury of their property, and to the inconvenience of the townspeople. ■ ■ Mr. Macandrew thought it had been observed that the proposed slip would interfere in some way with vessels. In what way would that happen ? Mr. Stevens pointed out that when steamers were going to the wharf during a northerly' wind they took a very wide sweep and came near the shore. - That was especially the case with the Ringarooma and Arawata, and the mooring buoys would be in their way. Vessels waiting to be taken on the, slip would the moored in the track of steamers.,

Mr. Maoandbew thought that was an important point, and expressed surprise that the harbor authorities had not thought of it, Mr. Wilkins remarked that on the original plan an esplanade was marked along the foreshore of Oriental Bay. Mr. Wilson thought tho Hon. Mr. Mantell could give some information on that point. Mr. Macandrew had no doubt that tho Law Officers would ascertain the legal position in which the matter stood. The deputation then withdrew.