Sea imports Up, Exports Decline

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1949, Page 6

Sea imports Up, Exports Decline

A substantial increase in the tonnage of imports for January was revealed in the trade and shipping statement, tabled at today's meeting of the Whangarei Harbour Board. The secretary (Mr N. A. Murphy) advised that imports for the month totalled 4250 tons, an increase of 1509 tons on January 1948.

Coal imports were up from 1209 tons to 2042 tons while 800 tons ot' gypsum rock had been imported. None of this commodity was handled during January last year. LESS CEMENT, BUTTER

Export figures showed a drop from 7841 tons to 6166 tons, the main factor being a 'decline in cement from 6646 to 5050 tons. Butter exports were down by 134 tons, the figure being--681 tons as against 815 tons for January 1948. Forty-eight vessels entered and cleared the port, compared with 54 for the same period last year. Their registered tonnage was 6395 as against 7867. Total revenue for the month was £1096, compared with £ll2B for January 1948. PORTLAND DREDGING

The Harbourmaster, (Captain E. S. Ross) reported that the suction dredge was continuing its operation at Portland, where the dredging of two berths to 16ft at low water was proceeding, on the inner side of the wharf.

When the proposed extensions to the wharf were carried out, three berths for coastal ships would be provided on this side

Minor stoppages had been encountered. A bag of cement had caused one of them.

The dredge also picked up a large spanner, and a collection of iron bolts, which caused stoppages. To Mr H. E, Hewlett, he said the number of obstructions on the outside berths prevented the use of the suction dredge there.