AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK
the Queen Street one; another was erected opposite Gore Street, and a breakwater had been built from Britomart Point.
This was the state of the waterfront when the Harbour Board undertook the management of the Port.
The Board immediately proceeded with a scheme of harbour improvements. In 1874 authority was obtained to borrow the sum of £150,000 for the purpose of building Auckland Dock (now demolished), constructing the Railway Wharf and Breastwork, and making certain reclamations fronting the City. Later, Queen's Wharf (then a wooden structure) was widened and lengthened, and the reclamation of Freeman's Bay was undertaken.
In 1882 authority was obtained to borrow a further sum of £150,000, and the construction of Calliope Dock was begun. The dock was opened on 16th February, 1888, when H.M. ships Calliope and Diamond were docked together. The same year a larger scheme of harbour works was authorised, the sum of £500,000 being borrowed for the purpose of paying off existing loans, constructing additional wharves and sheds, purchasing a bucket dredger and making further reclamations.
In 1899 an agreement was completed between the Admiralty and the Board, whereby the latter agreed, in return for an annual subsidy, to provide workshops and machinery, together with a deep water
204
