OLD WHARF TO GO

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 438, 21 August 1928, Page 1

OLD WHARF TO GO

DEVONPORT’S LOSS HARBOUR BOARD DECIDES SOME EARLY HISTORY The Harbour Board yesterday closed the Devonport Wharf at the foot of Church Street. For some time scows have been allowed to use it only under restrictions, but now all traffic is to be handled at the Victoria Wharf. The Devonport wharf was erected in the late 60’s, at what was then the usual landing place at the North Shore. The first wharf was built by the Pier Company, the chairman of which was the late Mr. Thos. Duder. At the same time, a land syndicate, which had purchased the land at the foot of Victoria Road, was busy building a wharf. There was considerable rivalry between “East” and “West” Devonport.

The Pier Company received some help from the Provincial Government in the way of land-scrip to its members, the Government being chronically short of cash. Owing, however, to a dispute between the contractor for the wharf erection and the Government, there -\yas no settlement as to the amount to be paid, and on the bankruptcy of the contractor, Mr. Duder, as the principal man in the Pier Company, found himself arrested under the old debt laws for the amount owing on the wharf contract, and he had to pay the claims made. Through that, and other reasons, the wharf was known as Duder’s Wharf. Twice it was damaged by heavy storms, a ferry steamer breaking through it on one occasion, and the scow Ghost on another. From the early 80’s the Harbour Board has maintained the wharf, but the cost has now become prohibitive, and with the provision of more modern facilities at Victoria Road the board has decided to demolish the old wharf, and use the timber elsewhere. Boatmen have sought to be allowed the use of the wharf as a landingplace for pleasure craft, over 50 of which moor in the bay, which is now a protected area. The board has declined the request, but is prepared to make some provision for the needs of boat-owners.