PILOTAGE FEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1934, Page 10

PILOTAGE FEES.

PORT OF AUCKLAND. £10,000 REDUCTION AUTHORISED. ALL COMPANIES BENEFIT.

The Auckland Harbour Board yesterday, after several months' consideration, decided to reduce its pilotage fees. It is estimated the reduction will mean a saving to shipping companies of £10,800. The recommendation of the special committee, which waa carried, was that a maximum rate of pilotage of £.~>o in and .€SO out per vessel be lixed, with half rates for a second visit on the same trip to the Dominion; provided, however, that no vessel be charged pilotage for more than six calls in any one. year. The estimated saving per annum to the shipping companies trading with Auckland will be :—Matson Line, £4750; New Zealand Shipping Company, £2040; Union Steam Ship Company, £1200; Shaw, Savill, £920; Blue Star, £7-7; Commonwealth and Dominion, £370; sundry chipping, -£200. The matter was considered yesterday by the board in committee, and subsequently the chairman, Mr. T. B. Clay, said that the board had a reduction in pilotage fees under consideration for some time. Representatives of the shipping companies had met and discussed the matter, and the whole question had been thoroughly investigated. The- reduction decided upon by the board would seriously hamper the carrying out of many improvements which were contemplated, but the object of the board was to make the port even more popular than it now was, and encourage more shipping to the port. Mr. Clay thought the majority of the public would approve of the action taken.