NEW FERRY WHARF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2792, 9 June 1916, Page 8

NEW FERRY WHARF

IN USE FOB THE FIRST ,TIME.

An event of interest on the waterfront on Wednesday was the berthing for the first lime of the Lyttelton lerry steamer at the new berth, at what used to bo known, as the "Wool Wharf—the wharf immediately next to the present Day's Bay jetty. 'L'lio Maori, in charge of Captain Alanniiig, inaugurated the new order of tilings on arrival from the,south shortly after' 9 o'clock yesterday morning. Tho ferry flier occupies practically tho whole length of tho new wharf, a description of which lias already appeared in. Tin; Dominion - . Captain Manning brought his vessel into the new berth stern first yesterday, and consequently was enabled on departure last evening to steam straight out without the usual backing and manoeuvring. Tho large shelter shed and general appointments of (he jetty were favourably commented upon, but opinion seems a littlo divided as to the general suitability of tho wharf. To the layman it rather appears that there is not <imy room to spare between tho new berth and tho Day's Bay ferry jetty for the easy handling of vessels of tho size of tho Mararoa. and Maori, but in official circles tho space is considered sufficient.

Captain Maiming stated on Wednesday that he iva.s inclined to think tho innovation would "bo satisfactory. lie thought it might bo necessary, especially in southerly weather, to come in stern first, but ho would be bettor able to judge after a few trips. The fact that tho wharf would provide an easier means of getting away was, in Captain Manning's opinion, an .important improvement. The cost of altering and adapting the wharf and buildings was