SEA WALL EXTENTION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 39, 21 November 1871, Page 3

SEA WALL EXTENTION.

A meeting of persons interested in the Sea Wall Extention was held last evening at Mr. Sargeant’s auction rooms. On the motion of Mr. J. Waite, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Dr. Trousseau took the chair. There was a very small attendance. The Chairman said that he had been informed by Mr. Sergeant that he had received information stating that the sea wall would not be carried beyond Burke-street, and they had thought it desirable to call a meeting, to impress upon the authoritiesin Auckland the necessity of carrying the wall further along, which was a work of almost necessity, considering the great destruction to property resulting from floods. Mr. Saroeant said lie endorsed what the chairman had said. The drainage of the town could not be carried on properly without this sea wall extension. Through Mr. Puckey’s influence a lease was obtained by the District Board for 21 years, of 77 feet wide from Tararu. Then a difficulty arose as to funds, and the Superintendent was waited upon on the subject. He gave a very favourable reply but nothing had been done. The health of the town was endangered, and the value of property was also reduced by liability to flood. It was most desirable to have this work carried out. Prevention was better than euro, and it was high time something was done. The Superintendent’s promise was yet' unfulfilled, and it was for the people themselves to stir in the matter, and if a deputation were appointed, he should be glad to be one. From the time of the late Superintendent the interests of the Executive, with the exception of Mr. Sheehan, he believed was antagonistic to goldfields’ interests. He believed Mr. Sheehan meant well by the goldfields, and he (Mr. S.) believed that if a deputation waited upon him on the subject, he would do his best to meet their views. He (Mr S.) regretted that persons who had promised to be present were not here. He moved that a deputation be formed out of the gentlemen present to wait upon the Goldfields Secretary. Mr Stevenson said, when Dr Nicholson was Provincial Secretary, he said, although he was sorry he could not control the winds and the tides, he would do what lie could; but nothing had been done. The Government, he thought, was liable to an action for removing a large quantity of-earth, and thus letting in the flood. He (Mr S.) had spoken to Mr Sheehan, who said the road would be carried to the wharf; but whether he meant to Burke-street wharf ’or to Grahamstown wharf he was not sure, but he understood Mr. Curtis had received notice to remove a portion of the wharf. The expense, he believed, of the extension would cost about £7OO, • Mr. J. Waite said lie hoped it would be distinctly understood that the extension should be from Haven-Btreet to the Albertstreet Wharf. The Chairman said all that Mr. Sergeant had said relative to the drainage was correct. He (the Chairman) had received reliable private information that the extension would be carried out as soon as the Provincial Council voted the money The plans, SDecifications, &c., were all prepared, and Mr. Curtis, he understood, had received notice to remove 100 feet of the Albert-street Wharf. He (the chairman) regretted the smallness of the meeting, but thought it most desirahle that a deputation should be formed to wait upon Mr. Sheehan. Mr. McCullough seconded Mr. Sargeant’s motion. This was put and carried. The foliowing gentlemen were appointed a daputation for the object stated : —[Mr. Hales proposed Dr. Trousseau, bu; Dr. Trousseau said his professional duties prevented him going to Auckland at present.] Messrs. Sergeant, Stevenson, Smith, Simpson,McCulloguh, Brown (timber merchant), and Dr. Trousseau. Mr. Sargeant said he understood that Mr. Sheehan would be here to-morrow, which would save a journey to Auckland. Mr. Stevenson said it had been suggested that the co-operation of the Highway Board should be obtained, and he moved, at the suggestion of Mr. M'Cullough, “ That the members of the deputation wait upon the Waiotahi Highway Boaid to obtain their assistance. Mr. Waite seconded. The Chairman said he understood the Board was rather averse to the sea wall extension, their interests being rather connected with other thoroughfares.

Mr. SarOkant.— This was the case when he was in the Board. Campbell street was very well looked after, and the neighbourhood of the Governor Bowen Hotel, but the beach was neglected. Mr. Hayles said the sea wall extension ought to he carried out for the sake of the general health, which would otherwise suffer. The motion wts put and carried. Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Stethenson, and Mr. McCullough expressed their willingness to go to Auckland, if necessary. Mr. McCullough said he understood the Secretary would be here on the 30th inst. Mr. Simtson said seven chains of the work asked for was being done by the tramway company. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was moved by Mr. Waite, seconded by Mr. Hayles, and carried, and the proceedings terminated.