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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Tides

The Tides.

The tides of Auckland harbour rise and fall from eight to twelve feet. Thirty years ago, when Customs Street marked the boundary of reclamation, and when all which has since been reclaimed was, at low tide, an evil-smelling mud-flat, this excessive fall was a very great drawback. But that has been all changed and there is no doubt that the currents produced by the rapid ebb and flow of the tides have a very cleansing effect on the harbour. In the upper reaches of the Waitemata some very large shoals are turned into mud flats by every receding tide; and as settlement progresses these flats will need to be reclaimed. The extreme length of Auckland wharf was in the first place necessitated by the excessive tide-fall; but, by persistent dredging, vessels of considerable draught can now be berthed at the short jetties.