PORT OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 9

PORT OF OTAGO

RECORD OVERSEAS EXPORTS Overseas exports for the Port .of Otago last month totalled 14,190 tons. This was 6200 tons greater than- the exports in February, 1946, and was the third highest monthly total to date. Overseas exports for the last five months totalled 35,999t0ns and constituted a record. . This. information was given at the meeting of the Otago Harbour Board last night by the secretary, Mr J. Renton. The total cargo, exports and imports, going over the wharves for the five months was 182,635 tons, including 144,294 tons at Dunedin, 5988 tons at Ravensbourne and 32,353 tons at Port Chalmers. This was 9800 tons more than the corresponding period last year. It was ihe highest five-monthly total since 189,111 tons were handled in 1938-39. Improved Revenue Revenue during the last five months totalled £86.968. being £18,300 more than for the previous five months, said Mr L. F. Evans, and the expenditure in the last five months of £88,038 was £4OOO less than the original estimate. A berthage record for the port was created on March 4 when 15 ships of a gross tonnage of 87,107 were berthed at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. The previous record was on January 5, 1926, when 18 ships v of a gross tonnage of 83,980 tons were berthed. Dredging for the Month During February, dredge Gtakou took 30 loads from the Deborah Bay bend, the amount of maintenance dredging being 44,400 hopper yards. The dredge steamed 549 miles. The crew were living on board from Monday to Friday, the vessel remaining on her moorings during night hours, thus saving a considerable amount of time formerly lost in steaming to and from a berth at the wharf each day.