SHIPPING SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13716, 9 November 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

SHIPPING SUMMARY.

The following summary represents shipping events for the period commencing October 15 to November 8, both dates inclusive:—

_ STATISTICAL, FOREIGN - , KTC. Shipping matters have shown a tendency to improve in costal vessels, chiefly duo to increased passenger traffic consequent upon tho opening of the International Inhibition at Cliristehureh. Tho julcrcolonial passenger traffic so far has proved decidedly disappointing, the extra steamer placed in commission bv tho enterprising Union Steam Ship Co. for that purpose having | la d j, 0 D 0 withdrawn „f tcl . t i,„ jj rst trip, owing to lack of support. Meanwhile Ihe vessels engaged in the regular service are able to fulfil all requirements in this direction at the present, time. The oversea steamers havo maintained an excellent service, with tho exception of (be 'Frisco mail boats, tho latter having shown a decided .tendency to arrivo several days lato ever, sineo the lato ■ earthquake, thereby occasioning much inconvenience and unpleasantness in business circles. N Cargo for Homeward shipment is beginning to como to hand a little morn freely, but oversea vessels still experience delay and trouble in filling up with cargo; but, the busy season will soon he round again, with plenty of cargo and full ships. There is nothing fresh to report ro freight rates, and competition in the latter still remains pretty keen. Tho general impression is that freight rate havo now touched bottom, and it, is extremely unlikely that any further cutting will take place for somo time to come.

The total number of vessels cleared inwards during tho period summarised was 31, with a total tonnage of 55.140 tons; and the departures numbered 39 vessels, with, an aggregate, .of 73,42+ tons. For tho previous period tho figuros were 39 arrivals, with a total of 65,327 tons, aud 34 departures, totalling. 51,245 tons. Tho oversea trade has been represented by the arrival of six Home vessels, whoso tonnage amounted to 24.263 tons, and tho eaino number of doparturcs, tho total tonnage being 35,035 tons. Last Summary gavo six arrivals, aggregating 30,348 tons, and seven departures, totalling $9,516 tons. Tho first oversea vessel to arrivo during tho present period was tho Italian ship Australia, 1635,t0n5. Captain Gazzolo, from Liverpool, via Wellington. She arrived on October 22, and was berthed at Dunedin, whero she discharged 860 tons of goneral cargo for this port. Punctual to her schedule date, tho Shaw, Snvill liner Maori, 5317 tons, Captain G. Nicole, arrived off the Heads on October 25, and steamed up to the powder ground, whore she discharged 1300 packages of combustibles. She afterwards steamed up to Dunedin. where she discharged 2900 tons of general cargo for this port. Tho Tyscr liner Star of New Zealand, 4418 tons, , Captain Beck, from West of England, via northern New Zealand porta, arrived at Dunedin on October 28. She brought 600 tons of goneral cargo for this port. Her royago throughout proved uneventful.

The fine twin-screw Fodoral liner Suffolk, 10.000 tons, Captain T. Priskc, from West of England ports, arrived at Port Chalmers on November 1.

Tho Tyscr steamer,Courtfield. 4592 tons, Captain Martin, arrived at Dunedin on November 3 'from New York, via Australia and northern' Now Zealand ports. Sho brought some 1081 tons of goneral American cargo to put ont here. The steamer Cornwall. 3554 tons, Captain Deith. returned to Port Chalmers 'on November 4 to load additional Homeward cargo. Her previous visit to this port was on October 11 sailing again for Sydney on the 13th for Homeward loading, afterwards returning here, as above.

Tho last of-Uw Homo arrivals was the Fleming and Ferguson drodjo 350, built at Paisley for the Timaru Harbour Board. 'Sho was specially designed for the work she is to bo engaged upon, being capable of dredging to a. depth of 40ft, her hopper capacity bcincr 1000 tons. Sho left Greenock on August 8.

Tho Star of Now Zealand mot with a quick discharge at this port, and sailed on October 30 for Napier and Wellington in continuation of her Homeward loading. The Shaft'-Savill liner Maori, having completed loading a quantity of flax and general produce, left, Port Chalmers for Lyttelton on October 31. After discharging 800 tons of general cargo sho was docked at the latter port for cleaning and paintim?. Sho afterwards completes her Homeward loading at northern ports, sailing for London finally from Wellington on November 21. '

The barque Brunei sailed on November 1 for Newcastle, where she is to load a cargo of coal for a- port on tho West Coast of South America.

Tho big Federal liner Suffolk met with quick despatch in the delivery; of her 1200 tons of cargo at Port Chalmers. Tho whole of it, including 1000 tons of railway rails, was discharged in 44 hours, working continuous shifts, the result being thai tho vessel m ado up some of the time lost at nortlW'Vn ports; She sailed at 10 a.m. on ■November 3 for Sydney, for Homeward loading.

Tho Tyscr steamer Courtfield, having completed discharging her cargo for this ■port, sailed on November 7 for Newcastle, where it is understood sho will load coal 'for New Caledonia.

The Federal liner Cornwall completed 'loading Homeward cargo at Port Chalmers on Novenfbcr 6, and left for Lyttelton and northern ports in order to complete hor Homoward 'oa'l'ng. INTERCOIOKIAL AND COASTAL The intercolonial and coastal trade ha 6 'been well maintained, tho extra provision made for tho increased passenger trade due to tho Exhibition being more than equal to requirements. There has been a dearth of small sailing coasters for the coastal timber trade', and vessels of the type referred to have been in brisk demand. Of late tho supply has been so short of requirements that scvoral fairly large stoamcrs have had to be engaged, in order to replenish depleted slocks of northern timber. In other respects the balance of trado has been fully, maintained. During the present period 10 vessels arrived from intercolonial ports, totalling 21,099 tons; the departures being 14 vessels, aggregating 28,387 tons. During tho previous period there were 12 arrivals, totalling 25,576 tons, and 11 departures, amounting to 22.520 tons. The coastal trado for the samo period included 15 arrivals, tota.l- - 9778 tons and 19 departures, representing 10,902 tons. For the previous period there were 22 arrivals, equal to 9603 tons, and 17 departures, the tonnago of which amounted to 9209 tons. GEXEEAL. Considerable anxiety exists in shipping circles concerning tho safety of the littlo steamer Centennial, now 21 days out from Holiart to Napier. She is a wooden vessel of 89 tons, having been engaged for many years tendering the big vessels at Launccston, and had just been purchased bv Messrs Cony and Fernandez for ooastal traflio about Napier.

THE BARQUE LUTTERWORTH. WELLINGTON. November 7. Tim barque Lutterworth, which was abandoned in Cook Strait last month, after having been dismasted.-is still in possession of the local receiver of wrecks (Mr D. Johnston, Collector of Customs), and she. will not bo released by him until the question of salvage has been settled. The receiver has been advised that-the owners are desirous ■ that the vessel should bo sold, and suggested that thoy and the salvors (Messrs "W." and G. Turnbull, owners of the Aorea, and the Harbour Ferries Company owners of the Duco) should agree to (lie sale being conducted by him pending: a settlement of tho claims for salvage. The salvors, however, declined to such a course, and it is understod that, they are anxious that tho matter should bo taken into court. The receiver lias tal;en a legal opinion on the subject. The solicitors ho has consulted state that they are unable to advise him that he has power to sell. It is. Ihey say. his duty to detain the vessel until payment is made for salvage, or a process is issued for its arrest or detention bv some competent person. If the owners wished to release the barque ihey could do. so by giving security for the amount claimed by tho salvors plus £100. which is admitted to be duo to tho Union Company for rescuing tho captain, officers, and orcv of n

Lutterworth (taken oft' bv tho Penguin), and also the probable costs of tho salvors. Experts consider that the vessel in her present condition is not worth more, than £700 or £800.