THIRSTY SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 18

THIRSTY SHIPS.

IN AUCKLAND'S BUSY PORT.

FORTY-FOUR YEAR'S SERVICE. RECORD OF LOCAL OFFICIAL.

In charge of the watering of ships or steamers —local, coastal, ' inter-colonial

and overseas—that have put into the port of Auckland since 1884—to have supplied the vessels or convoys of Royalty, from "The Flying Squadron" of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York (now His Majesty King George), the present Prince of Wales and Duke of York, and to have tended two American fleets, a Japanese fleet, and HM.s. New Zealand, amongst notable naval units, are a few important events in New Zealand harbour history, ■which are recalled by Mr. Thomas Hancock Higgins, an officer of the Auckland Harbour Board, who is about to retire on pension.

Amongst "they who go down to the sea in ships, and view the wonders of the Lord upon the deep," there is not a hotter known or more respected personality than Mr. Higgins, who has been a leading witness of and participant in Auckland's marine development from the days of sail, throughout the period of steam craft, and up to the present time, with its significant trend of oil fuel. But, as of yore, whatever the propelling power, all vessels must have water.

During the strain of the Great War, Mr. Higgins was in the throes of heavy work and responsibilities, day and night silently, but ever diligently, plying the vital aqua pura for the troopships. Enormous quantities were wanted for the thousands of fit men going on active service. According to regulations special precautions were taken. Tanks were scraped and washed out before being refilled. Similar attention was given to the water supplies for the horses sent overFew people, indeed, have any conception of the extra work carried out by Mr. Higgins and his men in those tense days.

Up-to-Date Supply Facilities. Modern requirements of fresh water for sea-craft range from one ton to two thousand tons. The process of supply involves the use of hydrants, and lengths of hose running to the tanks or boilers of vessels. "In days gone by the pressure ' wo got was as low as 28 to 29 tons to the square inch," says Mr. Higgins, "but from the time that the Harbour Board took over the control of the city corporation, the pressure has been increased to about sixty tons. I had something to do with bringing this improvement about, and strongly advocated the increasing of the flow pipe size from 3J inches to 7 inches. I could see the port growing so rapidly at the time that I had no hesitation in urging the board to do this. Where it used to take a whole night or day or so to water a ship it now can be done in a couple of hours. I have been told by many experienced skippers and marine engineers that Auckland is one of the finest places in the world that ttiey call at for getting water, and that all the facilities are right up to the mark for efficient attention." The mail and passenger steamers still make heavy demands. As he says, "they have tanks from stem to stern, at fore-peak, after-peak, 'midships, and also boiler tanks. Most of them take only fresh water—even for the boilers."

The City's Good Old Days. Becoming reminiscent, this cheery "old salt," who is a landsman too, said there were no public schools in his boyhood. "I went to a school where St. Matthew's Church is Hobson Street is. I was also at one about where St. Patrick's Cathedral is located, and before the present convent school was built on College Hill, I remember having carried a bag round for a sportsman who was shooting rabbits and pheasants. I have even seen men training horses on the site of Ponsonby Road, near the position of All Saints' Church. There they, also held pigeonshooting matches. Auckland had two medicos at that time, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Stratford. The former lived in Eiriily Place (near the foot of Anzac Avenue), and the other at Parnell. Grafton bridge did not exist, but the hospital was near its present locality, with Dr. Philson :n charge. The police station, manned by a sergeant and two constables, was near the foot of Victoria Street, near Darby Street. Abutting the square at this point was the pound for cattle, and a number of kennels for the holding of stray dogs. Through the square ran a very dirt 7/ creek. Circuses used the square, and I distinctly remember the performances of many troupes which were generally Japanese. Although I lived at College Hill, my father kept the Albert Hotel, where the circus people stayed." A Disastrous Early Fire. Mr. Higgins witnessed the first waxworks show in Auckland in Webb's Music Rooms, where the recentlydemolished Opera House stood. When entering he bumped someohe, and politely apologised. Later he was surprised to find that his regrets had been directed to one of the two wax models at each side of the doorway. The attraction he found to be a representation of the ghastly Poverty Bay Maori massacre. That night the scenes of early evening haunted him. He could not sleep, and told his sisters Tie hoped the show would be destroyed. Suddenly he heard the peal of the flrebells, and his wishes were realised. Originating from the waxworks, the fire swept, the whole block along Queen Street, down to Darby Street, and it also razed all the buildings that were on the present Civic Square. Hoses from a few wells and other crude and desperate efforts were of no avail against the blaze. It had to be left to burn itself out. Mr. Higgins was then eight years of age. Amazing Waterfront Growth. "Yes, I have seen the whole of Auckland's waterfront grow amazingly, with all the reclamations and the building of the wharves. When I was about 14 the present triangle known as the Old Dock Site was a rock palt bath. I saw Auckland's largest paddle steamer actually launched at a spot that is now the intersection of Albert and Customs Streets. To me things have changed with the reality of a great slow-motion pageant. I think the most beautiful sight on our harbour was the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, when his "Flying Squadron" of eight ships in full sail, with ports painted white, beat up the channel to honour the city. I was among the 700 children who were marched up to Government House in Princes Street to greet the distinguished brother of the late King Edward VII. A theatre, where the Regent is now, was given the title of the Duke. Further down Queen Street was ope called the Prince of Wales, which in the daytime was Used as Tanks' auction rooms. As an apprentice to Branson and Foster I worked in that theatre, an! also the City Hall, later re-erected and called the City Chambers."

One of the most serious of more recent happenings on the waterfront twenty years age was the fire on Queen's wharf. The big shed, with all its cargo just unloaded from several boats, was completely destroyed. Needless to remark, Mr. Higgins is a regular encyclopaedia of Auckland and port. Though he has weathered over three score and ten years, he is strong and hearty enough to enjoy for many years the fullest reward or duty well done. Li the maritime world the name of Tom Higgins is known far and wide. He can say he has ferried o'er life's bit of tide, and the sunny bay of retirement will find him a satisfied spectator of the ships that will pass.