PORT OF WHANG ARM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18566, 26 November 1923, Page 14

PORT OF WHANG ARM.

GROWING IMPORTANCE.

IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADE.

Some idea of the growing importance of the trade of Whangarei may be gained from the returns of imports and exports. Last year the inward cargoes totalled 25,605 tons, an increase of 3315 tons over the previous year. The current year promises to outdistance \ any previous record. ''..'"' '. ■',',' '':■ '■.•'••

The principal exports were: butter, 69,888 boxes; fruit, 9770 cases; kauri gum. 10,962 sacks; wool, 4600 bales; cement and lime, 77/564 tons coal, 15,502 tons. All these figures, except those for coal and fruit, represent heavy increases .»on those for 1921. The present year will again eclipse last year's records, there being a great recovery in the coal trade. and also in the production of wool and cement. The number of steamers and sailing vessels . entering the port in 1922 was 1077. Harbour revenue has grown steadily. It was £80 in 1893; £431 in 1903; £2437 in 1913; and £14,406 in 1922. •Of the last sum, £7171 was derived from the harbour improvement rate. The number of passengers to and from the port during 1922 was 37,103. .-./"■' ■' The' steady growth in the past ural industry in the Whangarei district is proving an important feeder to the port. Taking the dairying industry alone, the Whangarei Co-operative Co., commenced .1908 with 148 suppliers and an output of 118 tons of butter. In 1918, it had 238 suppliers and produced 238 tons. This year there are 625 suppliers and the output is estimated, at 730 tons. N The Hikurangi factory started, in 1904 with an output of 39 tons from 66 supplier's and recently these figures had risen' to 705 and-472 respectively. ". Waipu is also a large factor in the dairying industry of the district. Such returns as these may well inspire confidence in the harbour board in the prosecution of its improvement scheme. The plan for the inner port, is already a long way toward realisation and active operations' at Kioreroa are now in hand.