Safe And Beautiful Harbour

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 153, 24 March 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

Safe And Beautiful Harbour

TWENTY thousand acres of landlocked water, Port Nicholson, on which Wellington is situated, is one of the finest harbours possessed by any of the world’s capital cities. Ihe fleets of the world could ride at anchor there; the world’s greatest merchant liners can tie up within a few hundred yards of the main streets of the town. Thousands of tons of shipping come and go yearly in this splendid port.

MAORI legend attributes the discovery of Wellington Harbour to the Polynesian explorers, Kupe and Ngahue. who came here a thousand years ago. Its history as a port, however, dates from the arrival of the New Zealand Land Company’s ship Tory, a hundred vears since.

City and port have grown up hand in hand. The line of the original foreshore has been extended bv the reclamation of hundreds of acres of level land, on which the main streets of the city have been laid out. The circle of the wharves has been increased, until today no port in New Zealand possesses such magnificent facilities for handling shipping and cargoes. The complete and remarkab’e equipment of the port includes such adjuncts as a magnificent floating dock, a huge floating crane, patent sh’p, ocean-going tugs, and all the usual waterfront paraphernalia.

Situated at the crossroads where Ml the traffic of North and South I'-'-nds. eastern and western coasts, r-.ey s at the eastern entrance to C ok Strait. Wellington is naturally the main port of the Dominion. Wellington Harbour is one of the safest in the world. Landlocked and surrounded by hills, the bar-

bour is never subject to dangerous seas or ranges which can affect vessels lying at the wharves. In the stream, the holding ground is secure, and the great area of open water affords ample room for any number of big ships to move with security and convenience. The organization of the port is famous for its efficiency and smartness. Competent pilots, a large shore staff, and a thorough system of control make for the easy and expeditious working of the port. The Wellington Harbour Board is one of the most successful and influential bodies of its kind anywhere in the Empire, and all interests concerned with the efficiency of the waterfront are represented upon it.

The future of the port appears assured, since its sheltered waters will in the future undoubtedly offer a splendid base to the great flying boats which will play an important part in the transport of Pacific passengers and mails in coming years, while already some of the mightiest liners afloat have visited the port. The arrival of the Dominion Monarch, marking the commencement of a new service, presages yet greater expansion of Wellington’s seaborne trade.