TRADE AND SHIPPING

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1933, Page 3

TRADE AND SHIPPING

I WHANGAREI HARBOUR FIGURES. PRODUCTION LIMITS COAL TRADE. Vessels entering ■ the port of , Whangaroi last month numbered 55, the total registered tonnage being 7954. 'i lie figures, for dune., 1932, were GO • vessels with a total tonnage of 8361. Receipts for the month were £BBS 7/1 (£1029 8/11). The board is operating on a debit bank balance at current account of £7195 8/6. Imports declined from 2537:) tons in dime, 1932, to 1354) tons last month made up as follows: —Bacon and hams 7:‘, barley 1, beans’ and peas 2, chaff, hay and straw 17, cheese I), flour 148:}, fruit (fresh) 50, livestock (great cattle), ), manures (artificial) 23),' milk products ), motor spirit, etc. 1.231, oats 25, oat products 4, pollard and bran 491, potatoes 115, seeds 2, sugar 50, timber (softwoods) 191, wheat 57-1, and all other goods 620. Exports also showed a . decrease from 56661 tons to 4974. Last month’s outward cargoes comprised: Butter 84 tons, cement 4098), coal 3535, fresh fruit 7, hides 9, kauri gum 1, lime 64, milk products 2, sheepskins 75, tallow 15, timber (softwoods) 481, and all other goods 283).

When the statements were discussed by the Whangarei Harbour Board yesterday, Air Holmes asked ij', had supplies been available, more trade in coal would have been done at the Kioreroa wharf. The secretary replied that a large number of inquiries had been received, but owing to a shortage of supplies at Hikurangi the quantity shipped was not large. Mr Johnson said he had been told by Mr Stevens that the Hikurangi Coal Company could not complete its orders, but that valuable developmental work was being undertaken at the mine, which should result . in an increased output shortly. The following letter was read from George and McKenzie, Ltd., shippers;—

“You will be interested to know that this company has acquired the vessels Glenelg, Hikurangi and Will Watch, and will carry on the business hitherto Operated by James Smith and Co., Ltd. The present position at the Hikurangi mine does not permit us getting sufficient coal for our requirements, and meantime our supplies are being eared for from Westport. It. is necessary, however, that we have a certain amount of stock from Hikurangi to fulfil contracts calling for that coal, and this position will be met by the Ethel Wells, now owned by Captain Matheson. It Is thus apparent that we will not be doing much business at your port until conditions improve at Hikurangi. “You will also be interested to know that two large vessels which we have recently bunkered in Auckland would have gone to your port had you been able to supply. In this connection, will you ’please lot ns .have details of the position at Kioreroa.