PORT OF WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16723, 5 January 1920, Page 8

PORT OF WELLINGTON.

| 810 IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. A review of the discovery, growth, and possibilities of Wellington has been furnished by Mr Elsdon Best, ethnologist, in which ho comprehensively traces the gradual progress of the port and gives particulars of extensive operation in contemplation. Dealing with the astonishing growth of the port's accommodation and facilities, it is stated that in place of tho one small T wharf, with n total lineal berthage of 1500 ft, in existence in 1862, the Board has now eight wharves, and almost continuous breastworks, extending over nearly a mile find a half of waterfront. Tho total lineal berthage is 17,027 ft, with depths alongsido varyiing from 16ft to 41ft. Of this total, 4000 ft of berthago is linked up with tho Dominion's * railways' ays torn. There wero also to bo taken into account the six suburban wharves, comprising a further 23G4ft of berthage. In 1862 tho only wharf was without a shed; in 1919 there were 33 stores with a gross storage capacity of 8,687,111 cubic feet. Wellington also lays claim to tho uniqueness of its wharfago system in that it acts as its own wharfinger, controlling tho receipt and delivery of goods. Cold storage accommodation is provided adjacent to tho Glasgow wharf, the principal Homo export structure to deal with 9000 tons. Special facilities have beon provided to deal with cheese. Tho contemplated scheme of improvements of the Wellington Harbour Board include tho construction of a large shed for tho new Pipitoa wharf, the dimensions of which will bo 760 ft length, 170 ft width, and 24ft height, and the Board also has in contemplation tho construction of tho To Aro wharf, to be buitf to the oastwnrd of tho Taranaki street wharf. It is to be constructed of reinfoiced concrete, and is to have a length of 664 ft on the eastern side and 633 ft on tho western side, with a width of 123 ft. The berths aro to be dredged jtoßl ft below low water. The existing breastwork at Jervois Quay is to Le widened to provide a_ continuous berth about 1295 ft long. It is proposed, at an I early date, to continuo tho reinforced concrete breastwork, at present running along tho eastern front of the WnterI 100 quay reclamation, so as to form a | deep water berth for vessels on the I north front of tho existing reclamation. In conjunction with the Government ' reclamation proposal at Thorndon $ho Harbour Board proposes to acquire a portion for the construction of storage sheds, breastworks, roads, and approaches. The breastwork will bo a continuation of that rnnning along tho northern^ front of the Waterloo quav reclamation, and will make a total length of 2840 ft. In addition special facilities for cool storage aro anticipated.