AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

.-. , —; —- 1 v ;.. JBhk following report on the harbour, prepared by Mr. W. J. Napier on behalf of the Bab-committee of the Harbour Board, was, on the motion of Mr. Devore, seconded by Mr. Farrell, adopted with slight amendments at a meeting of the Harbour Board held yesterday afternoon. The report is to be embodied in the new " Handbook of New Zealand " :—

The Auckland Harbour consists of an extensive land-locked estuary at the southern end of the Hauraki Gulf, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated in latitude 36deg. 10s(ic. S., and longitude 174deg. 47sec. E. The outer harhour commences about six miles from the North Head, a promontory which forms the northern boundary of the inner harbour (known as Waitemata). The inner harbour ib about 15 miles long, by a width varying from two miles at the entrance to a mile. The deep channel has an average width of three-quarters of a mile. The harbour is completely sheltered from all winds by an outlying chain of islands and the peninsula above referred to. and is capable of affording safe and sheltered anchorage for the whole of the world's navies. There is a depth of nine fathoms of water at low water of spring tides, which shoals in some places to five fathoms. The tide rises and falls from eight to twelve feet. The whole harbour and approaches are lit by powerful lights, and the channels, shoals, *tc, are all well and clearly marked by buoys and beacons, so that at any hour the port may be entered with safety, (ball directions as to lights, etc., are given in "The New Zealand Pilot") The port has excellent appliances and conveniences for cairyiug on an extensive commerce. Large and commodious wharves (four in number, with, numerous tees) have been erected by the port authorities adjacent to the main streets of the city. , These wharves are brilliantly lit with gas, have powerful cranes, and extensive shed accommodation for the housing of cargo. Upwards of 16,500 tons of cargo can be stored at one time in these sheds. The depth of water at the Wharf is '26 feet at low water ordinary spring tides. There is a berthage accommodation at the wharves of nearly 14,000 feet The railway communicating with the interior runs to the end of the Railway Wharf. The export stores for frozen meat are adjacent to the last-named wharf, and the ocean-going cargo steamers load large quantities of frozen beef and mutton with rapidity from these stores. An abundant supply of the purest water, brought by the city waterworks from distant springs, is available at the wharves, a flow for shipping purposes of 60,000 gallons per hour being obtainable. There are two graving docks—the Calliope on the northern shore, and the Auckland on the southern. The former is one of the largest and most commodious docks in the world, and has on occasions accommodated two of the largest of Her Majesty's war vessels at the same time. Its dimensions ore 525 feet in length and 100 feet in width, with a depth of water on the sill of 33 feet. The Auckland Dock, which is used for smaller vessels, is 312 ieet long by 65 feet wide, and has a depth on the sill of 13J feet. There is a large staff of skilled workmen always available, and in the city there are several extensive foundries and engineers' shops, so that extensive repairs can be speedily effected to vessels putting into the port to refit, etc. The Harbour Board has made provision for the adjustment of ships' compasses. Dolphins have been constructed Air vessels to swiug at in a sheltered bay free from local attraction, about sir miles from the waarves. Vessels are signalled when 30 miles distant from the signal station on Mount; Victoria, from which there is also telephonic communication with the city. Pilotage is not compulsory, because of the safety ot the approaches to the harbour, but efficient pilots are provided by the Harbour Board for all vessels requiring their aid. There is a large and commodious Sailors' Home which has been liberally endowed through the generosity of a wealthy citizen recently deceased (Mr. Costley). In 1893 there arrived at the port 2301 sailing vessels and 2224 steamers, with an aggregate tonnage of 638,189 tons. The port charges are very low, and the dock dues are light to merchant ships, while war vessels of all nations are permitted the free use of the docks. The Harbour Board, which governs the port and harbour, is richly endowed with landed property, hence it is enabled to reduce the taxes on shipping to a minimum. The revenue of the Board during 1893 was £34,844 Ss lid. The port has a large and inCreasing trade with the South Sea Islands, and from its geographical position there can be. little doubt that it will command in the not remote future the bulk of the commence cf the South Pacific.