AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK
jetty and 80-ton sheerlegs, so that Calliope Dock might be made efficient for the docking and repair of ships of the Royal Navy. Four years later this agreement was extended and the subsidy increased to cover the cost of additional works. This arrangement made Auckland the naval base for the Dominion.
The growing trade of the Port and the pressing need of accommodation for oversea vessels caused the Board to decide, in 1903, that the time had come to adopt a comprehensive scheme of harbour improvements. In July, 1904, the Engineer submitted a scheme of works, which, after consideration extending over some months, was adopted. A Bill was promoted and passed through Parliament, in 1905, authorising the borrowing of £400,000, in order to enable the Board to proceed with the first portion of the scheme. Contracts were let for the construction of the Railway Wharf in ferro-concrete; the reclamation at Freeman's Bay was undertaken; the deepening of the berths to take the largest vessels coming to New Zealand was begun; and landing stages for the vehicular cargo vessels were built. The same year a contract was let for the construction in reinforced concrete of the first portion of the new Queen's Wharf.
In 1907 the Railway Wharf was completed and brought into commission, and a contract was let for the construction upon it of five single-storey steel sheds The Ferry Jetty was finished and brought into use, and the work of deepening the berths was advanced.
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