TIMBER SHIPMENTS DECLINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1947, Page 2

TIMBER SHIPMENTS DECLINE

Worst Year In Harbour Board History The smallest amount of timber to be shipped from Greymouth since the Harbour Board commenced operations, was taken from the port during 1946, the total being less than onesixth of the footage during the record year of 1920. No overseas shipments at all were made during the year. Coal shipments were smaller than in the previous four years, but slightly exceeded those in the early part of the war period.

A total, of 162 vessels traded between Greymouth and other ports during the year and the timber-loading ships amongst that number sailed with 8,561,597 superficial feet for discharge at New Zealand ports mainly Wellington. The busiest month was April when 1,064,241 super feet were loaded, while in February, June and October shipments approaching 1,000,000 super, ft. were made. Timber shipments during 1945 were not much larger, 13,633, 129 super, ft. being taken from the port, so that the decrease in ■ the shipping trade in one year was over 5,000,000 ft. In neither year was timber shipped overseas from Greymouth. In 1944, timber shipments reached the total of 12,776,506 super, ft., including 632,052 ft. which was shipped to Australia, but in the previous year the total was 21,827,660 ft. (2,735,963 ft. being sent overseas). The 1942 export total was 24,910,700 ft. (5,577,067 ft. being overseas). In 1941, no less than 37,723,044 ft. was loaded at the Greymouth wharf, while 14,100,754 ft. of this was destined for overseas builders. The 1940 total was a little lower. Record Set in 1920. In the record vear of 1920, a total of 52,711,244 ft. of timber was exported from Greymouth, 20,000 ft. of this being sleepers. The next biggest annual timber export figure was 51,790,356 ft. in 1912. All coal exported from the West Coast last year was consumed in New Zealand, no overseas shipments being made. The amount exported from Greymouth by sea was 237,203 tons, with the largest monthly shipments being made in April (26,269 tons) and September (26,157 tons). January and July .saw the smallest shipments taken, 13,312 and 13,893 tons respectively being consigned. The shipment of coal from Greymouth during December was hampered by the restricted hours worked by waterside workers, and as a result of this policy the low total of 14,713 tons was shipped during that month. Coal Shipments. The amount of coal shipped in 1945 was 267,439 tons, which is 30,000 tons in excess of last year’s total. A small overseas shipment of 600 tons added to the 1944 total which was 246,737 tons. In 1943, a total of 299,211 tons was shipped out of the port, just on 500 tons of this being destined for overseas consumption. The 1942 total was 252,077 tons. Less coal was exported from Greymouth in 1941 than last year, the total being 234,432 tons which is just under 300 tons less. Of that total, however, 4698 tons were sent overseas. The previous year’s total was again smaller (210,832 tons) but during the 12 months over 7000 tons were shipped overseas.

It was during the First World War that the record tonnage was exported from Greymouth. This amount, 481,531 tons, was loaded in 1916 and was 182,000 tons more than the biggest annual total during the period of the last war, and more than double last year’s total. During 1916 a weekly average of 9260 tons, which is equivalent to more than one shi£ a day, was loaded. Last year, apart .from coal and timber, 1033 tons of other goods were exported from Greymouth, the biggest shipments of 206 tons and 194 tons being made in March and May. The year’s total was higher than those for 1945 and 1944 (837 and 713 tons), but lower than the amounts shipped in the other years after 1940. Highest figure during that period was 1812 tons 3 cwt exported in 1943, when almost 36 tons were consigned to overseas Qjistinations. Import Totals Imports landed at Greymouth last year totalled 10,300 tons, while 36,038 super, feet of timber was also brought to the district from other parts of New Zealand. Of the goods imported, explosives (229 tons 9|cwt) comprised a considerable portion, while rationed articles such as sugar, fruit, oil fuels, and cement also formed a large part. Wines and vegetables were other items regularly imported among other general goods. During the previous year, 16,604 super ft. of timber were imported and 274 tons of explosives were landed.