WHAKATANE PORT HANDLES GREATER TONNAGE OF CARGO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 74, 9 December 1949, Page 5

WHAKATANE PORT HANDLES GREATER TONNAGE OF CARGO

Although there was a decrease of G2. tons on all cargo exported through the port of Whakatane during, the past year 1948-49, compared with 1947-48, the 16,019 J tons handled was a general increase over the tonnage handled in either of the previous six from 1947-48. The increased cargoes < included wool, cheese, butter and drums, the biggest being in butter, which rose from 6033 tons last year to 63031tons.

Wool showed a continuation of the increase, which has been taking place over the past few years. From 180 f tons last year it went up by four tons and present indications are that the figure will continue to rise.

Other items have shown a dis- ' tinct increase over the last few years and reVeal the continued growth of Whakatane and the great productive area in the rear. Cheese is still going up and is keeping apace with butter. From last year it rose 85-1- tons to 13841. However, this is still far from the 3788 f.-tons handled in the third year, of the war. • -

Returned empty petroleum drums „ continue to take up a large part of the outward cargo. In the past year thdse amounted to 80201 tons. • 1 The following are the figures for the year compared with 1947-48: —■ 1947-48 1948-49 \ . tons tons

The total tonnage handled during the previous six years from 1941-42 are:— 1941-42, 140521; 1942-43, 11341; 1943-44, 11421-1; 1944-45,, 129121; Inward Cargo ' The figures for the inward cargo handled show a definite increase from 18131-1 tons last year to 18888. This was made up of increases of 465 tons for manure, 215 tons for cement, 534 tons paper pulp, 53 tons wines and spirits and 79 tons of timber. As against these there were decreases in tonnage for general 330-1, flour- 1741, oats 45f, motor spirit and kerosene 381, coal and coke 201 tons. ‘ Since 1941-42 there have been gradual increases in the tonnage of most goods coming into Whakatane * until 1946- / 47, which was the peak year, when the total amounted to 195131 tons. In 1941-42 the total was 126101 tons. j

Drums & general 8411| $ CO o o Maize 15| 67 Hides 4 5! Skins 12! 11! Tallow — 2! Butter 6033 6303! Cheese 1299! 1384J Potatoes 4 — Sand 120 — Wool 180| 184| 'Timber £ 4 — Total f 16,081! 16,019!