The Star. Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga. Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, and Waverley. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1912. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR REPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 23 January 1912, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga. Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, and Waverley. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1912. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR REPORT.

_ 4 Generally speaking the report for the past year of the chairman of New Plymouth Harbor Board is satisfactory. It does not disclose any great development oi\ trade, and the revenue —both ordinary revenue and land revenue — was less than in the previous year; but an explanation is made by the chairman which removes any adverse significance from the decrease of the ordinary receipts, and the final result is that the working account shows a nett profit for the year of £7859. We give the chairman's explanation: "The general revenue shows a decrease of £1853 10s 6d as compared with the preceding year. This difference is more apparent than real, mainly due.to the fact that one monthly payment for wharfage less being made than to the preceding year. This, together with an amount included in last year's account, which was not, strictly speaking, annual revenue for that year, accounts for £1108 8s Id,

showing a net difference of £745 2s sd' for the year, made up principally by, concessions in the. Tate of wharfage, ■ etc." Nevertheless, it cannot hut be' disappointing that there should be this decrease instead of the positive development that is reasonably to be expected in view of the harbor improveRients of the past two or three years. We observe that the number of vessels in and out, and the tonnage returns, fall beldw the figures for many previous years. This, we assume, is due to the Onehunga service having been interfered with by the Main Trunk railway, for the trade returns show no'■corresponding contraction. The total trade is a little better than it was last year— 87,185 tons, as against 86,849. The imports are a little less than they were; the exports a little more, despite the fact that butter and cheese exports, .owing it isjsxplained to the bad season, show a decline from 9240 tons to 7737 tons. On the whole, the trade returns may be said to have kept up pretty well, but there has not been the development that might reasonably have been hoped for. The land revenue for the year shows a decrease of £798, and no information is given to account for this. The Herald, commenting on it, observes that, it is unsatisfactory. Figures are given to show that the dredging is being carried out economically, and the work of the new dredge Paritutu is described as having been "excellent." The report says: "This dredger continues to do ercellent work at the wharf, and has made a considerable improvement in the depth of wafer alongside. A berth for ocean Ws 610 ft. long by 90ft wide, with a depth of 33ft. at low water springs has be.en prepared, and the width *s now being.extended to 200 ft. from the edge of the wharf. Inshore of this berth, at a part of the wharf that has never been used by shipping, another berth nas been dredged out to 16ft at low water for a depth of 280 ft. This 'berth is suitable for the smaller class of. coastal vessel." As to the wharf, it is stated that a start was made to widen it by 19ft. at the end of March a?<J '» le^S* of 600 ft. has been completed. The remaining section of 380 ft is now m hand, and the superintendent expects to complete the work about the end of April next. The Board has decided to lengthen the wharf by 60ft so as to give an additional berth on the inside of the wharf. The materials required have all been ordered, and the work will be proceeded with on the completion of the widening. The ballT emL th& loan account at December dl, 1911, was £52,029 3s 6d—£52,000 being on fixed deposit and the balance lying at current account. The Herald commenting on this, observes • "The works contemplated when the loan was raised have progressed quite satisfac- + L-lnT>faC^' + wy '** is already evident that the Board will be able to do more than it expected with the money The possibility of a rate having to be levied to meet interest charges on the loan is remote In a few months accommodation will be available for the large ocean liners.. In fact, the prospects in all directions are encouraging, and we feel sure the trade of the port for the year now entered upon will show a marked forward movement." We shall be glad to see the hopeful prospects abundantly realised.