RECORD TONNAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 11

RECORD TONNAGE

THE HARBOUR XEAR

FEWER IMPORTS

MANAGER'S REPORT

The report of the general manager, Mr. J. Marchbanks, to tho Wellington Harbour Board at its statutory annual meeting last evening is a record of pound progress during tho year ended 30th September last. Tlie financial position is thoroughly sound, as is sot out in another column. There was a moderate increase in tho •total trade of the port, and a record of shipping tonnage, but there was a marked decrease in imports. A further drop in imports is probable during the current year owing to tho drop in the value of exports. The total net registered tonnage of vessels arriving was 3,839,810 tons as against 3,644,487 tons for tho previous rear, which constitutes a record for tho 'port.. The increase for tho year was 100,323 tons. This to some extent was duo to the large number of whaling vessels visiting Wellington, and to the increase of tho average tonnage of vessels arriving. The number of vessels -which arrived was 3154 of an average lonnage of 1217 tons, as compared with ">045 of an average tonnage of 1106 tons. The manifest tonnago of all cargo landed or shipped totalled 2,233,667 Kiiis, compared with 2,172,406 tons for the previous year, an increase of 61,261 •tons, or 2.8 per cent. Inward cargo of all classes was 1,103,804 tons, as com].iarcd with 1,129,5G0 tons for tho year ended 30th September, 1929, an increase of 02,244 tons, or 3.0 per cent. It is quite unlikely that the volume of trade will bo maintained in the current year, nnd :i considerable decrease is expected, said Mr. Marchbanks. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. British and foreign imports of all classes amounted to 564,044 tons, as against 567,271 tons, a decrease of 3227 toils or 0.6 per cent. Inwards coastal cargo amounted to 473,300 tons, compared with 465.GG6 tons, an increase of 4634* tons. Australian cargo increased from 93,623 tons to 126,400 tons; this was mainly caused by coal importations, which fell ofE very considerably in 1029. British and foreign transhipments increased from 67,319 tons' 1o 03,351 tons, or by 35.7 per cent., duo to larger quantities' of bulk oil transhipped, and to imports of rails. A considerable decrease, in cargo of this class is. expected during tho current year. Australian transhipments increased from 12,2-11 tons to 17,177 tons. Coastal transhipments decreased from 217,005 tons to 3P9.449 tons, a drop of 18,450 tons, or 5.." per cent., mainly in bunker coal and general goods. The' total of all trimshipments increased from 297,405 tons to 010,007 tons, an increase of 12,542 lons, or 4.2 per cent. There is a tendency fur transhipments of coastal cargo to decrease, although there has been an increase in the totalof all transhipments. The total of all outward cargo last yonr was 449,849 tons, au Increase of 1933 tons or 0.4 per cent. The exports tr> British and foreign ports increased from 153,171 tons to 160,04,7 tons, or by 8.4 per cent. Australian exports decreased from 48,957 tons to 40,327 tons, or by 17.6 per cent. Coastal cargo outwards also decreased from 2-15,788 tons to 243,475 ton?, or by 0.9 per cent. General, goods landed, exclusive of coal, bulk oil, and timber, amounted to 5G0,856 tons, compared with 627,948,----tons, a decrease of 67,062 tons, or 10.7 per cent. ,"This . class of cargo includes all genera! merchandise the imports of which are still decreasing," commented the general manager. "This is one of the board's principal sources of income, and the one on which most labour is employed. Tho importations of this class of cargo will continue to diminish until the valno of produce increases'and the purchasing power of the Dominion improves." General goods transhipments wore 142,528 tons, compared with 136,583 tons in the previous year, an increase of 5945 tons, or. 4.4 per cent. General goods shipped amounted to 244,981 tons, as against 235,243 tons, .au in-, crease of 19,7.38. tons, or 8.8 per cent. This increase was mainly due to shipments to English and foreign ports. Timber inwards was 28,315,249 super feet, a decrease of .'(,693,741 super feet. Timber outwards slightly. increased. Coal imported, and transhipped was 380,210 tons, compared with 357,432 tons, an increase of 22,778 tons, or 6.4 per cent. The tonnago of bulk oil pumped ashore shows a marked increase, the figures being 216,543 tons, compared with 163,957 tons, an increase of 52,586 tons, or 32.1 per cent. The shipments of oil are somewhat irregular. Last year there was a large deereaso over 1928, and it is probable that tlie oil received during this year will be a good deal less. Bulk oil outwards has decreased by 13,946 tons. The tonJiage was 111,222 tons, compared with 325,168 tons. The bulk oil transhipments increased from 21,324 tons to 35,010 tons, or by 78.2 per cent. The light oils landed, which are included in tho total pumped ashore, increased last year by 13,380 tons. EFFECT OF LOW WOOL PRICES. Owing to the drop in the price of wool a large number of bales were not shipped last year, and this is reflected in the total quantity outwards, which has decreased from 195,526 bales for 1929 to 161,261 bales in 1930, a decrease of 34,265 bales, or 17.5 per cent. Tranfilupmcnts dropped by 14,84.8 bales, or 27 per cent., while wool from shore and rail decreased by 19,417 bales, or 13.8 per cent. It is expected that there will he.' n considerable increase in the quantity shipped this year. Hemp and tow ahtipnicnts also show a decrease, thy, figures being 39,124 bales, as compared with 48,332 bales in the previous year. Transhipments- decreased by 820 bales, arid shipments from shore and rail fell by -S3S2 bales, or by 21 por cent. Butter, exported to British and foreign . ports increased .from .• 15,681 tons t0,18,280 tous, or by 16.6 per cent. I'Yozen moat-shows an increase of 4GBI Inns, or ]'4.8 per cent., while cheese shows ,a decrease from 40,554 tons •to 42.,G81. tons.