WHANGAREI HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 84, 9 April 1925, Page 10

WHANGAREI HARBOUR BOARD.

TRADE AND FINANCIAL KEVIEw. (From Our Oyn Correspondon. ) AYHANGAHKI, Wednesdny. At yesterday's meeting of the Wliaugarei Harbour Board, the secretary and treasurer, Mr. .T. MeKiimou. made some very interesting comparisons when reporting on the shipping and trade of the port, and the board's finance for last month, which indicated that there had been au improvement over the preceding month's returns. The number of vessels that entered the port was 02. and the tonnage was 23.6e0. beiuc an increase of O.">7!) tons over Inst month's returns. The exports for the month show that 10.600 tons of cement were shipped from Portland, an increase of JOII tons for the month. This industry requires the services of twelve vessels t:> carry away this important product of the district. The tonnage of coal shipped from Onerahi is 3033, as against 3201 rons for the previous month, beinr an increase of 732 tons. 11l the export of butter there were 316 tons handled, showing a falling off of 03 tons on the previous month's output. This is attributed to the dry autumn we are experiencing, but at the end of the season the output for the whole year will show an increase on Inst year's returns, pointing to the fact thar. "the dairy farmers are increasing their herds. "Although it is the tail-end of the wool season, there were 310 bales shipped, representing 22 tons of wool. The fruit season being practically over, there were only 70 tons shipped, being a slight decrease on the previous month's .shipments. The quantity of timber shipped from Onerahi by overseas vessels was 246,300 feet, being an advance on previous shipments. In addition to these figures. tuere_ were 24G tons of sundries exported, which included gum. flax, etc. Dealing with the general imports to the district, the tonnage was increased by 210 over February's returns. The number of sheep landed at Ouerahi was 1200. One noticeable feature of the month's imports was the increased Quantity of fertilisers and manures that have been imported, both by sea and rail, which indicates that the settlers are giving more attention to the restoration of old pastures by topdressing, and the laying down of npw grass areas. These improvements all tend to give a fillip to exports in the near future, with a resultant increased revenue to the board. It should be mentioned that Portland is forging ahead both as regards exports and im-

ports, through the development O f «.' i-emeut industry. and tho in?-L . c population. BesldPH the 10600 tnt ns exports, there were nearly mnn i ot general cargo landed. whih s toi l? « bnteil ninonk the 63<i inhabitants township. It is anticipated thnt- i> c land will still continue to increase'it?°«" ports, imports antl population ow ~„■ ?' considerable additions and im'provcmenU now being made to the cement mill? w tne Town wharf during tho month tho'r was an average ot five steamers nor I- i to deal with tho .-arryins of exports £5 imports. Since the advent of the throS? railway service to Auckland. the nZ'&r of passengers fravell!n K by sea is reduo P ,i by nearly one-half, thero beins only S passensrers, as ngainst h, the pfevimu FIXANCE. Comiiij: to tin? a'lestion of finance fi total rpceiprs for the three months cmleii March 31. 1023, were £41 Sβ 10/10 « njrainst £:JOS.I 10/(i for the correspondin* jieriod of last year, bpjng an iuerease nf £201 O/4 for the quarter. The cash taking for last month were £1527 17/8, biin' £204 4/e better than Kebrunry's banking The returns, taken as a whole, may "hL regarded as satisfactory. and are a su» indication of the harbour's usefulness and the town and district's development which is consistent with the general advanci>ment of the North. The certified expenditure vouchers in cod neetlon with loan works, submitted for payment to thp board yesterday, amount tn £1448 V-I, an.l £601 17/4 has to be.paid ~" outlay on sencr.il services and will be met out of the general funds. The current loan account at the bank shows a credit of £3013 IS/1, and the amount standing to the credit of the jreneral account is i'ln-VR 3/2, with £30,000 on fixed deposit..