Author(s): Hansen, H.J.

Rotorua Books

In this publication shipping moverment to the Chelsea Sugar Refinery over the past 130 years have been tabulated, and it shows where our sugar came from over that period. Chelsea Sugar Refinery made a major contribution to the progress of Birkenhead over the last 130 years by providing employment for its citizens and also in providing support and housing for its employees. The sugar works was the biggest and probably the only employer of labour in early Birkenhead. Residents liked to work at Chelseas, as it eliminated the need to cross the harbour for work. The biggest changes to the industry came through modern push-buttin automation. Gone are wharfies, slings and horses. The harbour bridge spelled the end of the lighters and the old sugar bag had to go with the introduction of the brand name Chelsea Sugar.