A NEW VIEW OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 51, 23 December 1893, Page 529

A NEW VIEW OF WELLINGTON.

new view of Wellington is from a very recent photo taken by the world famous firm of Valentine and Co. Apparently the view obtained was from a ship’s mast. It makes an admirable picture, and one which gives a good idea of the business and importance of Wellington as a port. We extract the following interesting particulars of Wellington Harbour from the official year book for 1893 :— ‘ Wellington is an excellent harbour, having an area of about 20,000 acres, for the most part sheltered, with good holding ground for anchorage, with depths of from to 14 fathoms at low water. Ths main entrance has a clear breadth of not less than 6 cables for a distance of one and a half miles ; and the prevailing winds being in the direction of the channel, the entrance is at all times safe and easy. • The wharfage accommodation is at the city of Wellington, in the western arm of the harbour, and comprises the Queen’s Railway, and Wool Wharves, having a combined berthage of 6,850 ft. lineal, with from 12ft. to 30ft. at low water ; in addition to which there is I,oooft. of breastwork berths, having depths at low water of from sft. to 6ft. available for small coastal crafts. The rise and fall of the tide is from 3ft to 4ft. •The import and transhipping trade is principally carried ou at the Queen’s Wharf, where ample storage accommodation is provided at each berth. The export trade is principally carried out at the Railway and Wool Wharf, where there are large stores in connection with the railway system, with all facilities for handling wool and hemp. ‘ The Harbour Board act as what fingers, receiving goods from the vessels, and taking care of them for the consignees or shippers ; and, for the purpose of facilitating the

cheap handling of cargo, has erected a complete and elaborate system of hydraulic plant, comprising lifting-gear in all the stores and sheds, seven presses for dumping wool and hemp for shipment, and five 2-ton cranes fixed on wharf for loading carts. There are also worked by the same system, to aid in the discharge of cargo from ocean steamers and sailing vessels, movable winches, as well as twelve movable double powered 2 ton cranes, having variable rakes up to 32ft. ; one 10 ton crane, fixed at the outer tee of the Queen’s Wharf, having a similar rake, and commanding the hatches of the largest steamers entering the port; and at Jervois Quay a 40 ton derrick-crane at a berth where the depth at low water is 20ft. The Board have also a large brick bonded store, where goods may be stored in bond, and a luggage store where passengers may leave their luggage and ob'ain a receipt therefore. • A Sailor’s R-st (supported by voluntary subscriptions) is provided in one of the Board’s buildings. ‘ Wellington being situated on Cook Strait, has a considerable trade in supplying coal to steamers, a large tonnage of coal being always stored in hulks in the harbour, and vessels calling for coals are exempt from port-cha'-ges.’