HARBOUR BOARD REVENUE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24226, 6 April 1944, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD REVENUE

INCREASE FOR LAST YEAR SHIPPING TONNAGE AT PORT An excess of assets over liabilities of £1,180,709, representing an increase of £28,112 compared with the previous year, was shown in the annual reports and statement of accounts of the Lyttelton Harbour Board which were placed before the board at the adjourned statutory meeting before the ordinary meeting yesterday. Receipts, expenditure, and shipping tonnage all showed an increase on the returns for the preceding 12 months. The board’s income for the year ended September 30 was £118,549, made up of ordinary receipts amounting to £111,765 and special receipts amounting to £6784. Ordinary receipts increased by £7381 compared with the previous year, and ordinary expenditure at £99,668 represented an increase of £7954. The aggregate net tonnage of shipping entering the port during the year was 1,321,307 tons compared with 1,285,860 tons in 1942, an increase of 35,447 tons. The total tonnage of cargo passing over the wharves during the year was 702,830 tons compared with 699,247 tons in 1942. Outward tonnage increased by 51,209 tons, but inward tonnage and transhipments were less by 44,054 tons and 3572 tons respectively. Cargo subject to wharfage dues amounted to 479,384 tons, compared with 486,506 tons in 1942. The percentage of cargo exempt from wharfage dues has shown an increase since the war began, the figures for the last four years being: 1940, 23.5 per cent.; 1941, 25.7 per cent.; 1942, 30.4 per cent.; 1943, 31.8 per cent. The depreciated value of the board’s property is £1,058,163 compared with £1,072,239 in the previous year. The reduction of £14,076 is the difference between the amount of depreciation written off and the amount spent on new works.