34 Guide to Belfast. 



long and 300 feet wide at the bottom, with a depth of 17 feet 

 at low water. This depth can be increased at will, as the 

 trade demands. 



Three large wooden jetties are being constructed in this 

 channel for the convenience of the shipbuilding trade, and 

 the provision of these jetties is expected to considerably 

 relieve the congestion in the main harbour. 



Parliamentary powers have been procured for the con- 

 struction of a large tidal dock of 14 acres at the south end 

 of the Musgrave Channel, as well as of a graving dock, 

 which, when built, will be the lari^est and most complete 

 in the world, and it is expected that work will shortly be 

 commenced on one or buth of these undertakings. 



Sutificient has been said to demonstrate that the Belfast 

 Harbour Commissioners are fully alive to the importance 

 of keeping pace with the times. 



The revenues collected by the Customs authorities now 

 approach ^3,000,000, being the third largest in amount of 

 the ports in the United Kingdom, and only exceeded by 

 London and Liverpool. The following tables illustrate the 

 growth of the shipping trade of Belfast : 



The Corporation of Belfast have for some time adopted 

 the policy of taking over, when possible, the various public 

 services under their own management. One of the most 

 important of these is the Gas-wok KS; and the enterprising 

 way in which these have been managed will be obvious to 

 anyone who visits the magnificent range of buildings on 

 the Ormeau Road. During the last twenty-five years the 

 consumption of gas increased so rapidly that the congestion 

 in the works became very great; the remedy adopted was 

 the erection of plant for the manufacture of carburetted 

 water-gas. This has proved a most satisfactory means of 



