MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 246, 30 January 1917, Page 3

MERCER.

The architect for the work is Mr J. Park, F N Z LA , of Onehunga Negotiations have been entered into for the unloading of a shipment of Australian hardwood fehortly arriving at the Waikato Heads, containing about 175,000 ft of timber for the new Ngaruawahia traffic bridge in addition to a quantity of cement, iron, steel and other materials for the construction of the bridge. It is hoped to arrange for a return cargo of timber for Australia. To indicate some of the uses made of the Company's boats it may be mentioned that no less than 20 tons of cheese from the Aka Aka Cheese Factory were conveyed to the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Stores on Friday last. This represented a value of approximately £1750. All the foregoing informatiotf tends to show the uses and development of the Waikato river for the conveyance of goods and the constant endeavour of the Shipping Co. to meet in every way the daily increasing trade.

WAIKATO SHIPPING COY. A DEVELOPING TRADE. . Mercer will in the future owe its development not to the railway but to the Waikato Shipping Co., Ltd., whose managing director, Mr C. C. Davis, is devoting all his business ability and shipping knowledge to the Waikato river, the trading resources of which, are yet in their infancy. Keenly alive to the certainty of a big expansion of commercial and passenger trade, the Company have decided at an early date to provide accommodation for the comfort and convenience of its clients. Plans have been prepared which show among other things a large wharf, store, offices, launch landings, passengers' waiting room, etc. The shed, which will cover approximately 160 ft space, will bo built on piles with stone fillings at the southern end of the existing wharf. In addition to these improvements the railway line will be extended about 100 ft under cover. So that cargo can be worked at the outer edge of the wharf a travelling crane is to be provided to facilitate quick and easy loading. An advantage of this over the present system is that all the railway trucks cun be loaded and unloaded from tho barges under cover, thus avoiding the frequent use of tarpaulin covering during bad weather. For the convenience of passengers a tloating landing stage has been provided. To meet the increased dairy and produce trade the whole building has been erected to give better accommodation for * goods arriving for settlers from the river. At the present time all such goods have to bo stored on the wharf and covered with sheeting. It being the intention of the Com-

pany to divert the Waipa trade to Mercer, the shedding accommodation has been planned to make provision for this increased trade. In all probability a weekly service will be run on the Waipa to Pirongia, which should prove a great convenience to settlers and the public generally, but a source of income to the Company. The buildings and improvements are estimated to cost, without foundations, about £IBOO, and they will be a decided asset to Mercer, and will improve the appearance of the Waikato.