RECORD DAY IN PORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 293, 8 December 1920, Page 8

RECORD DAY IN PORT.

JJEVER MORE SHIPPING,

NOTABLE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 7.

That December 7, 1920, was the most remarkable day in the history of the port of Auckland was a fact pointed out to the Harbour Board at its meeting yesterday, when the Harbourmaster's report was read. He mentioned that on the date in question eleven large cargo steamers, nine intercolonial or Island steamers, three coastal steamers, and six and intercolonial sailing- vessels had been in port, totalling 132,000 gross tons, and including coastal vessels increasing this figure to the record one of 140,042 gross tons. Mr. A. J. Entriean took occasion to reply to Press strictures on the Board in this connection. He said that these figures showed that the incoming ocean traffic wns altogether abnormal. Our imports during the present year had exceeded our exports by 10* million sterling. He highly approved of the artion of the chairman in defending- the Board against the reflections that had been made as to the harbour's equipment. The Board was doing all it could to increase accommodation for shipping, and it had not been neglectful of its duty. But the trade was altogether abnormal. As the Imperial Government had to get the produce they bought in New Zealand, ships were sent out in exceptional numbers to bring it overseas, and the English exporter took advantage of the cargo space thus made available nnd sent all he could to New Zealand. Hence it was not surprising that such an increase in shipping should take place, and though there might be at times a fe-w steamers lying mi the stream, yet on the whole the Board was doing all it could to meet the exceptional conditions, and reflections upon its efforts were not justified. The Harbourmaster's report was adopted.