PORT OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 12

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SHIPPING AND IMPORTS. INCREASE IN RETURNS. An increase in overseas and intercolonial shipping at the port of Auckland last month, compared with February, 1931, was reported to the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon by the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant. The chairman, Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, presided. Thirty-three overseas merchant vessels entered the harbour last month, the total gross tonnage being 226,623 tons. Only five of these ships were foreign owned, the gross tonnage represented being 39,851 tons. Compared with the corresponding period last year overseas shipping showed an increase of two vessels, but a decrease of 6413 tons. The intercolonial shipping showed an increase of one vessel, nine steamers of a total gross tonnage of 35,508 tons entering the port. The incre:iso in tonnage in this section was 3980 gross tons. Coastal shipping in largo vessels showed a decrease of ono vessel and 13,634 gross tons. Including provincial coastal shipping and warships 470 vessels arrived during .February and 484 departed. The total gross tonnage of arrivals and departures was 351,976 tons and 370,792 tons respectively. The vessels arriving in tlio Manukau Harbour numbered 21, with a gross tonnago of 5640 tons. Compared with February last year the figures showed a decrease of three vessels and 672 gross tons. The departures numbered 20 vessels of 5414 gross tons. > The report of the traffic manager, Mr. W. It. Golden, revealed that last month imports totalled 82,592 tons, as against 75,686 tons in February, 1931, an increase of 6906 . tons. In January last the imports amounted to 69,089 tons. The largest import in February was 15,167 tons of raw sugar from Java. Australian products amounted to 3610 tons, including 1642 tons of coal and coke. From t lio United Kingdom 7141 tons were received, the largest item* being motor vehicles (815 tons). United States products totalled 6830 tons, of which only 32 tons represented motor vehicles. Fuel oil (4587 tons) was the greatest item in this section. Imports from Canada amounted to 1254 tons and thoso from islands in tho Western Pacific to 11,517 tons, including 9952 tons of manures.