NEW WHARF FOR SHORE?

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1006, 24 June 1930, Page 10

NEW WHARF FOR SHORE?

HARBOUR BOARD OFFICER'S SUGGESTION BIRKENHEAD-NORTHCOTE A modern wharf in Little Shoal Bay on an embankment connecting the foot of Arawa Street in Birkenhead with the foot of Talbot Street in Northcote, is recommended by the engineer to the Harbour Board, Mr. D. Holderness. He is convinced that such a wharf would be in the best interests of both Birkenhead and Xorthcote and would meet the request for a new wharf at Xorthcote. At a meeting: of the board this afternoon Mg- Holderness reported on the reque.'W of the Xorthcote Borough Council for a more up-to-date wharf for the Xorthcote ferry service. The engineer pointed out that the subject was dealt with by him in 3 927, when he stated that the construction of a new wharf on the present site would add materially to the annual charge for the provision of ferry facilities and that the existing wharf could be maintained in a safe condition for a considerable time to come. It was forecast that the annual cost of maintainence for the next three or four years would not exceed £7OO. The actual cost has been: —1927-2 S. £542; 1925-29, £492; 1929 to date, £297. EXPOSURE TO WEATHER Before considering the construction of a new wharf at Xorthcote the question of the more suitable site should form the subject of negotiations between the Harbour Board, the Xortlicoto and Birkenhead Councils and the Town Planning Board, as the present site of the wharf has certain outstanding disadvantages in relation to run of tide and exposure to westerly weather. In suggesting the construction of a new wharf in Little Shoal Bay to meet the requirements of both boroughs, Mr. Holderness points out that it would appear possible to give grades not exceeding 1 in 15 from the wharf to the business centres of both boroughs. The existing grade reaches 1 in 11 at Birkenhead and 1 in 13 at Xorthcote. Such an arrangement as that suggested by Mr. Holderness would admit of an almost unlimited improvement in the existing* time-table, whereas the present limitations at Birkenhead and Xorthcote, particularly in regard to the vehicular service—the time occupied in berthing and turning—imposes very severe restrictions on the capacity and suitability of the wharves.