THE PORT OF OAMARU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 7

THE PORT OF OAMARU.

A RED LETTER DAY. (By TelesraDh.— Press Association.) OAMARt. Friday. To-day was a red letter day in the his-tory of the i.ort oi Oama.ru. Following on tie completion of Holmes* Wharf, the Shaw. Su ville and Albion Company's steamer Waiwera, a vessel of 0331 tons, was safely berthed this meaning. The Mayor, Chairman, and members of the Harbour Board met the vessel, and accorded the captain mi official welcome, the officers bein;j afterwards entertained at luncheon in the Star aud GarteT HoteL it is four years since the last direct steamer called at Oaniaru. In June, 1903, the Maori shipped 16.570 carcases and 364 quarters beef; the Waiwera will take away on the present occasion a record shipment of over 20.000 carcases. The sue. -*iul handling of the Waiwera means that upwards of 20 Home steamers, which hitherto could not do so. will be able to make Oamaru a port of calL The new harbour arrangements will permit the whole of the meat frozen ut Oamaru to he shipped direct. Last season upwards of 106,000 sheep and lambs were sent from the loea! freezing works, only 20.699 of which wer_ shipped at the port. From the Ist July, 1906, to the Sth June. 1907. 88,000 carcases have been put through, and over 32,000 will he shipped direct because- of the Waiwera's visit.