NEW HARBOUR SCHEME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 11

NEW HARBOUR SCHEME

WORKS UNDER WAY THIRTY YEARS TO COMPLETE From a layman's point of view, or from one who casually strolls round the waterfront, and those who regularly cross backwards and forwards over the harbour, the improvements which are taking place along the whole waterfront of the port of Auckland does not show the rapid strides one would expect. The interest which has been created recently through the slight congestion of shipping at Auckland brings before the public eye the necessity of increased berthage for a port which is to be second to none in New Zealand. Keeping this in view the members of the Harbour Board, the guardians of the ports of Auckland, have adopted a comprehensive scheme which has been designed by the engineer, Mr. D. Holderness. Work Under Way The plans provide for a gradual and logical sequence of improvements to keep ahead of the modern and growingneeds of Auckland. These plans include an area from Point Erin Park to Campbell’s point on this side of the harbour and Devonport to Northcote on the other shore. The work actually under construction at the present time is the formation of a breakwater at Point Erin, which, when completed, will act as a tide-deflector, as well as making an exceptional boat harbour for small pleasure crafts. Along the foreshore the next scene of operation is at the Western Wharf. This wharf when completed will be used as a special coal timber, and bulk-oil discharging berth. Other operations are in progress at the eastern side of the King’s wharf, where the construction of the Devonport Vehicular Ferry wharf is under way. Still further to the eastward a large area is being reclaimed. At Devonport the vehicular-ferry wharf is progressing rapidly, which, when complete, will mean quicker transportation from shore "“to shore. Besides • these main works various preparations are being carried out right along the waterfront. Future Development The scheme which has been adopted is estimated to take from 30 to 35 years to complete. This estimate is calculated on quinquennial periods of the increase of the population of the district and city of Auckland, besides the increasing tonnages of cargo handled and the increased shipping in general at the port for similar periods. The plans provide firstly for an extension on the Central wharf, to be followed by the building of the Railway wharf. Other additions will be a repair wharf, two general-purpose wharves, export wharf, shingle-and-allied-pro-ducts wharf, and numerous smaller allotments. Besides these, from the Prince’s wharf towards the Western \\ harf, a is to be built to enable the railway to be linked up with the Western wharf. Also several large reclamations have been decided on which when completed will give acres of valuable building sites. | Based on the price level at the time when the scheme was designed, ther engineer estimated that the cost of the work would be approximately £5,500,000. These works involving such a tremendous expenditure, would under ordinary circumstances prove a difficult transaction for the Harbour Board to take up, but since the completion of the construction is not expected for 30 years, this enables the authorities to tackle such a proposition. This is equivalent to an annual expenditure of £175,000, and during some of these years it is probable that the expenditure may be slightly greater. To finance the scheme the Board is issuing debentures.