AUCKLAND HARBOUR WORKS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 273, 23 August 1872, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR WORKS.

A special meeting of the Harbour Board was held on Tuesday to consider certain modifications upon the plan for harbour works recently prepared by Mr Carruthers, the details of which we have already published. We received no intimation of the meeting, tlu- reasons for which are explained elsewhere. The annexed report is therefore; abridged from that published by our morning contemporary : —To have a clear idea of the original plan and modifications now proposed, it will be necessary to bear in mind three important considerations. The first of these is that the cost of the works proposed by Mr Carrutheiß was greatly in excess of the present means of the Board ; second, that Mr Carruthers proposed to carry the work out into deep water ; and third, that the extent of the plan included a large number

of allotments abutting upon the cliffs at the north end of Ilobson-street, and the streets running towards the water line, which have now acquired great value. These were the three objections to the plan of the Colonial Government Engineer. To the reduction of these objections the modified proposals are addressed. They have been prepared by Air Iligginson. The first noticeable feature is that iron piers are substituted for costl}' stone work. The primary idea is to run one pier out along the site of, and forty feet.beyond, the present Breakwater ; also an iron pier eo-terminous with the present wharf site. Within this space will be tidal basin and wet dock (eleven acres), which can be supplied by the accession of each tide. This plan will cover a very extensive surface. It will embrace all the accommodation which the present space between the Breakwater, at Britomart Point, and the existing wharf can afford to craft of moderate tonnage. The following are the works provided for :—Wall from Solid Rock tri Break-

water, built in masonry, £13,428 ; stone wall from Freeman’s Bay to small dock, timber facing from Freeman’s Bay to wharf, £1,500 (considerably less) ; fender piles, £1,500, 15 feet apart ; reclamation from Freeman’s Bay to Queen-street Wharf, 400,000 cubic yards, at Is 9d, £35,000; filling earth, 5,700yd5., 03,000 ; cost of dock on solid rock, £27,000 ; large dock at Britomarart, £40,000. It will be seen that there have been no estimates given by Mr Iligginson for the wet dock, which will he flush with Custom-house-street, extending the whole way, but lie has given a probable cost of £40,000 to £50,000. There is provision for a dry dock, with will be constructed upon the site of Britomart cliff, and another on the Solid Rock. There was no estimate for the former, but the latter is estimated to cost £27,000. —The Chair man explained that the work might be done in portii ns as flic Board might elect.

They might first proceed with iron piers, and surrounding works ; or they might first go on with the part of the work on the Freeman’s Bay side, or the Mechanics’ Bay side, as the Board should think fit.—Mr Tonks was of opinion that, although the compensation claims that would be demanded under the plan of Mr Carruthers were removed, there might still be claims on account of frontage. The Chairman said that the Endowment Committee had considered the question, and Mr Beveridge had been instructed to prepare a deed, to be signed by property holders, relinquishing any such claims. He believed they would be too happy to have the road. But the precaution suggested had been provided.—lt was proposed by Mr Von der Hcyde that the plan should be exhibited in the Boardroom for a fortnight. This proposition was discussed, but negatived by an amendment moved by Mr Stannus Jones, to the effect that the decision of the Board be at once taken.—Mr Niccol was of opinion that the first and most important consideration was the wet dock.—Mr McKeller thought that the matter immediately pressing was increase of accommodation. —The following was the reso-

lution submitted to the committee : “ That your committee have examined the plan now presented to the Board, and, having received in the shape of explanations every assistance from Mr Higginson, approve of the plan, and recommend its adoption by the Board as a general scheme of harbour improvements.”—Mr McKelPr moved the addition of the words,

“ The Board not pledging Jhemselves to details without estimates before them.”— This verbal amendment was accepted by the Chairman. —Mr Tonks moved the further adoption of the words, “That no compensation bo paid along the line of improvements.”—This addition was also accepted, and tho report of the committee was adopted with these verbal alterations. —The Chairman was authorised to communicate by telegram with the Colonial Government the action taken by tho Board.—Mr Higginson, in his survey, was accompanied by Captain Burgess, tho Chief Harbour-master and Pilot, and Mr Macdonald, the Board Engineer, who have had an acquaintance with the peculiarities of the ground extending over a great number of years. — Cross.