THE CITY OF MELBOUKM.. 42, 



industries that have been established on its banks. These it is proposed to relegate t<. 

 a remote locality, and the great works which are being carried out under the direction 

 of the Melbourne Harbour Trust, created in 1876, will eventually confer approaches 

 upon the Port worthy of the magnitude of its commerce. Upwards of one million and 

 a quarter sterling has already been expended in widening and deepening the channel of 

 the Yarra, in cutting a canal across Fisherman's Bend, in improving the wharfage 

 accommodation along the River near Flinders Street, and in operations directed to 

 prevent that silting-up of Hobson's Bay and of the River, which is asserted upon good 

 authority to have been going on uninterruptedly for a number of years past, at a rate 

 variously estimated at between two hundred and twenty-five thousand and live hundred 

 thousand yards per annum. Twelve powerful dredges are at work, and one of these, 

 the Melbourne, is stated to take rank amongst the largest in the world. Simultaneous 

 with these important undertakings an extensive marsh, known as Batman's Swamp, is 

 being drained by means of canals, and a large area of land reclaimed, so as to render 

 it available for the expansion of the city westward. But in any event the prolongation 

 of Flinders Street for another mile or two along the north bank of the Yarra is 

 perfectly practicable under existing 'circumstances, and its accomplishment is merely a 

 question of time. 



The water-way to Melbourne, in all that regards its sea-borne traffic, terminates at 

 the Queens' Bridge. This has recently been completed, and replaces a wooden bridge 

 known as the Falls' Bridge, the name being derived from a rocky ledge formerly obstruct- 

 ing the navigation at this spot, but since removed. Under the administration of the Har- 

 bour Trust the wharves have been extended in a westerly direction until they present a 

 frontage of nearly two miles on each side of the Yarra, lined with timber, and studded 

 at regular intervals with hawser-posts, so that quite a fleet of merchantmen can lie 

 alongside and discharge cargo. On the north bank of the River three lines of tram-way, 

 laid upon a broad plank-road, are connected with the Railway Terminus in Spencer Street, 

 and facilitate the transport of merchandise thither. Huge piles of dressed and undressed 

 timber, to be employed in the prolongation of the wharf, are stacked near the end of the 

 embankment. A couple of hundred store cattle are being landed from a Queensland steamer, 

 with much prodding of their broad Hanks, and great vociferation on the part of the 

 sailors, and of the station-hands who have been sent down to receive them ; while half 

 a dozen stock-riders, armed with resonant whips, keep watch over the avenues to the 

 wharf in order to prevent the liberated and hungry oxen from making a dash at the 

 green sward in the neighbouring marsh. 



Proceeding eastward, the pedestrian is reminded of the pine-forests of Scandinavia 

 by the resinous odour of the planks,, quartering and weather-boards, which have just been 

 brought up from the holds of vessels with the names of such far-off ports as Stavanger. 

 Lillesancl and Christiania on their sterns. The sailors on board have the blue eyes, 

 light hair, and ruddy complexion of true Norsemen, and any illusion to Camlc Xorgc 

 causes a richer colour to come to their weather-beaten cheeks, and a brighter light to 

 flash from their eyes. To these vessels succeed others from Hamburg and Sunderland. 

 and lighters filled with cargo from ships lying in the Bay. The wharf for nearly half a 

 mil-.: is covered with iron rails, rods and bars, with boiler-plates and piles of pig-iron, with 



