The North Shore’s Forgotten Horse Tramway: The Devonport and Lake Takapuna Tramway Company

Abstract

One of New Zealand’s last horse tramways, the Devonport and Lake Takapuna Tramway Company has been largely neglected by historians, and those who have reported on it often include or imply incorrect information. This has resulted in a universally negative opinion of the tramway that briefly shuttled passengers between Victoria Wharf and Cheltenham Beach in Devonport, Auckland, between 1886 and 1888. This article examines the company’s history from the perspectives of those who witnessed its rise and fall, and includes technical details from primary sources, observations by reporters, and additional information derived from photographs, maps, and government documents.