Author(s): Roger Morris

NZ History

At the beginning of the last century Auckland was a thriving port, and her waterfront, although entirely devoted to its primary purpose of shipping, was no less vibrant than it is today. The public were free to wander around the wharves, and the small steamer and ferries did a roaring excursion trade on high days and holidays in summer. The port had its seedy areas, particularly west of Hobson Street around Freemans Bay, which although avoided by respectable citizens at the time, have now attracted the eye of the artist. This is a collection of paintings illustrating the port in those years, supported with archival photographs and historical comment.