UP TO DATE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 37, 12 February 1926, Page 9

UP TO DATE

WELLINGTON'S HARBOUR

ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD.

The wonderful natural advantages of Wellington's harbour and the up-to-date equipment of its wharves are excellently displayed by photographs, plans, and letterpress in the '' Year Book" jnst issued. The envelope in which the publication is contained has a fine airplane yiew of the busiest part of the waterfront and of the. adjoining city area. A bird's-eye picture of the whole harbour and a large portion of the city is alto a striking feature of the production. The photograph was taken on the occasion of the visit of the United States fleet in August last. On the back of this picture appear the following appreciations of the harbour:—"Of all the ports I have visited in various "parts of the world, .1 give the palm to Wellington, N-Zi, for the most modern system of loading and discharging vessels and handling cargo." —Mr. Gordon Wesche,/general manager, P. and O. Company. "My first impression is that Wellington has a most wonderful harbour, practically free from dangers, and one capable of holding any fleet Many harbours are capacious, but some are too deep and otfiera too shallow. The soundings on your charts prove that you have a wonderful harbour.' '—Admiral R. E. Coontz, Com-mander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet."

A general description of the harbour follows, illustrated by many fine protographf of the large ocean liners and warship* at the wharves. Then there is given a detailed account of the wharves and the facilities for loading, unloading, etc. A notable feature is the transit store equipped with overhead 'electric travelling cranes. • The Juiramar Wharf, with oil tanker and the fuel oil tanks and canning stores at Miramar, are new features. Another' view shows that the Wellington Harbour Board receives all goods at the ship's fide for town delivery or transhipment Striking picture* are those of piles of crates of cheese and boxes of apple* in the cool stores ready for shipment; and a novelty in the way of pictures is that of apples and wool stowed in the hold of an ocean liner at the. wharf. Included in the photos are those of the fine modern ferry steamers Wahine and Tamahine, a pretty night scene of the harbour, with brilliant lighting effects. The central position of the port of Wellington is illustrated by a map of the surrounding areas of production of the southern portion of the North' Island and a section (including Maryborough and Nelson) of the South Island.

The board ia having constructed by Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson, Ltd., of Paisley, Scotland, a floating crane capable of being propelled by her own steam. The steamer will be 160 ft long, 54ft beam, -with a maximum draft of 7ft The crane (by Sir W. Arrol and Co., Glasgow) will be capable of lifting a load of 80 tons at a radius of 50ft This great floating crane is to be called the Hikitea.

A plan is given showing the present and proposed wharf accommodation. "The Year Book," which contains a vast amount of general information in regard to the port, reflects the greatest credit on the board and its officers responsible for the publication.