Waikato’s Trade

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 9

Waikato’s Trade

Canal Scheme Discussed

Linking by Waterway

INTEREST of local bodies is almost an essential to the sucTX e , movement to connect Princes Wharf, Auckland, an ‘r H 1 Waikato River, with a waterway via Whau Creek and Waiuku. An earnest endeavour is now being made to foster this interest, with the idea of getting under way a scheme that has been considered a possibility for about sixty-five years.

A very definite move was made last evening, when the Mayor of Avondale, Mr. H. Tiarks, invited several suburban Mayors, chairmen of town boards, and leading residents in Avondale, Te Atatu, and Waiuku districts to meet at Avondale and hear Mr. David B. Russell, concessionaire from the Auckland Harbour Board, and Mr. W. Noton, premium bond expert. THE SCHEME Mr. Russell outlined the scheme as it has already appeared in THE SUN. The idea is to give communication between the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours by using the Whau Creek, and cutting a canal of about a mile between the headwaters of the creek and Manukau, thence across the Manukau and down to Waiuku, with a further canal between Waiuku and the Waikato River. On the Auckland end this scheme involves an embankment between the end of Rosebank Road, Avondale, and the Te Atatu side of the harbour, containing locks and a spillway for small craft, and allowing of the two sides of the harbour being connected with a road across the embankment. AVONDALE’S INTEREST

Mr. Russell said that it was about time Avondale people were looking out for their own interests. If they did not, the next thing they would see was the Tamaki scheme on the

way, and they left behind. The Whau-Waiuku scheme had been mooted for 65 years, and was not jet advanced beyond plans, though these plans had cost a heap of money. It was a case c' Avondale against an expensive scheme fathered by vested interests. All he wanted Avondale to assist him with was the one-mile Whau cut, and certain work In connection with the embankment. This embankment was really of considerable interest to Avondale. The proposal was to run a bank out from either end, with a bridge and lock in the middle. Spoil was available at the Te Atatu end, and the question was whether Avondale would. agree to give spoil from their end. At the end of Rosebank Road there was an area of useless land from which spoil could be taken, giving Avondale at the same time a fine playing area, with a natural gallery formed by the cliffs. With the canal spoil he proposed building an island at the mouth of the Whau, on which there would be room for an airdrome, baths, iceskating rink, besides residential sections. The whole of the harbour, from the embankment to the Whau, could be made one of the attractions of New Zealand. TAMAKI IMPOSSIBLE

Mr. Russell said that he had not previously had anything to say about the Tamaki scheme, but it was impossible. There were only four feet of water under Mangere bridge, and two feet at Panmure. Between these two

points were mudflats, scoria rock, subterranean channels, and a network of railways, the lastmentioned of which were sufficient in themselves to make the scheme impossible. A NATURAL SCHEME Mr. Noton said that he was pleased to be at the meeting, because he thought there was now a prospect of a scheme being started that would be of immense value to Auckland. Some might regard it as visionary, but a few years ago some people' would have regarded a concrete road from Henderson to Papakura as visionary. This was a natural scheme, and, apart from being of value to people on the route, promised to considerably decrease the overhead charges on the district—a thing of huge importance. PREMIUM BONDS Men putting money into this sort of company wanted to see their money earning interest and paying itself off. The only way to put this scheme through was to interest the local bodies first. As for the money, the only way he could see to raise it in New Zealand was by premium bonds. A large business had once been done in New Zealand in premium bonds, but their operation was considered a breach of a technical section of the

Gaming Act. Legislation had been promised to allow the operation of premium bonds, but it was not passed yet. “At the same time, I would like to remark that, the day will come when a New Zealand Government loan will be issued on a premium bond system,” remarked Mr. Noton. Some people considered it as an antidote to the gambling spirit In this country, because, though there was a gambling element, the investor could not lose his money. He understood that the probable income from clues alone would be about £22,000, while the island had great possibilities. It would ce situated in ideal surroundings. In reply to questions, Mr. Russell said the possibilities were so tremendous that at the moment he did not like to disclose his hand. Every penny required to offset the £750,000 required was easily seen, and there were aspects that would make the scheme, when all the cards were laid on the table, of great importance, even apart from the Importance of the trade. FURTHERING THE SCHEME The speakers were applauded at the conclusion of their remarks, and the meeting passed a resolution expressing their thanks and interest, and promising to bring the scheme before their respective bodies. The resolution also asked the speakers to take the earliest opportunity possible of bringing full details before it: