Waterfront Railway to Freeman’s Bay

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 553, 4 January 1929, Page 11

Waterfront Railway to Freeman’s Bay

FIRST SECTION SOON BIG HARBOUR WORKS If the members of the Harbour Board approve, the first section of the railway line connecting the waterfront railway with the Freeman’s Bay reclamation may be built this year. This will be the replacement ot' the Albert Wharf at a cost of about £ 30,000. Eventually, when the whole of the proposed waterfront alterations are complete, the waterfront railway line will run from its present terminus inQuay Street over a causeway to Jellicoe Street in the reclaimed areas in Freeman’s Baju The completion of this line is earnestly desired by the various firms who leased sections on the reclamation, and several of them are of opinion that; the Harbour Board should finish the line as soon as possible. The shipping companies would prefer to see the line finished as soon as possible, as the ships berthed at the Western Wharf would then be connected with the principal system by railway. At present they have to pay their waterside workers from the time they leave the waiting room, but if the railway was completed the men would be paid from the time they readied the ships. It has been stated that the Harbour Board agreed to erect the Freeman’s Bay viaduct as soon as the reclaimed sections in Freeman’s Bay were leased, but the chairman of the board, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, stated this morning that he did not think the viaduct would be completed for some years. Subject to the approval of the board the Albert Wharf, for a distance of about 300 ft, would be replaced this year. That would be the first section of the viaduct. In all probability, if the Albert Wharf section were proceeded with, the new vehicular ferry wharf for Birkenhead and Northcote on the west side of the Freeman’s Bay reclamation would also be constructed. All vehicular traffic for those areas would then pass along Fanshaw Street in and out of the city. At the last meeting of the board the following resolution regarding the Albert Wharf was passed: That as Albert Whal'f is in a condition which requires replacement, and as accommodation for small shipping craft must be provided, the engineer be instructed to prepare alternative plans of suitable wharfage for such craft, the scheme to form part of the plan for the construction of a viaduct extending to Freeman's Bay reclamation should such work subsequently be approved by the board. Apparently some members of the board do not approve of completing the viaduct and Mr. Mackenzie stated this morning that the expense of building i.t was not really warranted yet. The Harbour Board lias a big programme of works for this year. Already several of the proposals have been completed as the board’s official year began in October. On the general account works commitments for the year were £ 30,700, and of these the following have been completed or are being proceeded with. Cranes and grabs, ’Western Wharf, £9,600; electric installation, Western Wharf, £450: chutes, alterations, £250; A.H.B. office and equipment, £4,000; bar straighten er, £400; Te Awhina, fire pump, £1,920; portable concrete mixer, £250; punching and shearing machine, £100; welding plant, £2OO. The sum of £5,000 was set aside for contingencies and the Waterside Workers’ building, to cost £7,500, and the Rangitoto Beacon, to cost £I,OOO, are still to be considered. There are several other big works under the loan account. The western reclamation, for which £35,000 was set aside, the Mechanics Bay breastwork, against which the sum of £15,200 appears, and its continuation, with a sum of £20,000 against it, are being proceeded with according to plan. During the year several big undertakings have been completed, including the Devonport Ferry Wharf and the Devonport vehicular ferry.