PORT OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27447, 21 July 1950, Page 8

PORT OF OTAGO

Cargo Statistics

INCREASED BERTHAGES Thirty vessels of a total tonnage of 57,454 berthed in the Port of Otag-o last month. In June of last year 24', vessels of 35,225 tons visited the port. In the nine months ended on June 30, a total of 295' vessels (632,574 tons) berthed here, compared with 281 vessels (548,478 tons) in the corresponding period of last year. A report tabled at the meeting of the Otago- Harbour Board last night of the returns of revenue and expenditure for the past nine months show an excess of revenue over expenditure of £43,265." After allowing for insurance premiums accrued, the surplus is reduced to £41,965 as against the estimated surplus for the nine months of £l2O. The revenue for the month was £2BOO more than that for June of last year. The revenue for the? nine months was £28,000 more than for the corresponding period of last year, and £30,000 higher than the proportion of the estimate. The expenditure for the month was £2500 less, and for the nine months, £ 10.8Q0 less, ■’ than for the corresponding periods of last year. The total expenditure is £13,000 less than the proportion of the estimate. Six overseas vessels visited the port last month. The total imports for June were 29,955 tons, which was 15,400 tons more than in the same month of last year. The total imports for the past nine months were 41,300 tons more than the corresponding period of last year. The total exports for the month, 6132 tons, were 14,300 tons less than .in June, 1949, and the exports for the past nine months were 7000 tons less than in the same period of last year. - Hardwood Supplies Australia was capable of using the whole of its production of hardwoods, stated a letter from the director of the New Zealand Forest Service. It was likely that the cutting of hardwoods on Crown lands would be restricted in the future. On the other hand, however, it was expected that agents would continue to endeavour to maintain an export trade with New Zealand as far as possible, but rising prices had made agents in Australia increasingly reluctant to meet contracts made before values rose. Some agents were inclined to endeavour to shed their contracts for a number of reasons which appeared to be largely specious. AH buyers, in their own interests, should review their contracts which had not yet been filled, or were overdue. They were not likely to have them filled otherwise. Buyers should regard with caution the assurances that new agents could supply large quantities of hardwood. The chairman, Mr C. O. Knewstubb, said that it appeared that supplies might be difficult to obtain in future. This might necessitate the whole construction of wharves in Otago Harbour being altered, but this contingency would be met as it arose. Empowering Bill It was decided to ask Mr A. H. Allen, M.L.C.j-.. to take charge of the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill, 1950, in the Legislative Council. The board decided to call tenders for alterations to the level of Birch street alongside the new storage shed.