TRADE OF THE PORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 55

TRADE OF THE PORT.

At last week's meeting of the Otago Harbour Board, The Chairman said : I have to lay upon the table a schedule of statistics compiled by the secretary from the harbourmaster's reports printed annually, extending back from lost year to 1879. Haviug instructed copies to be made and forwarded to each member a day or two ago, so that they might be studied before this meeting, I will- not occupy your time further than drawing your attention to one or two points. (1) That although it is true that the number of vessels visiting our port has decreased, on the other hand the tonnage of the smaller number is nearly double that of the large number. Thus in 1879 : number of vessels 1118, tonnage 286.591; and in 1896: number 567, tonnage 468,395. Here ycu have the key to the necessity there was for heavy expenditure on harbour improvements which I reFerred to on "a former occas'on. (2) Note that the ratio of decrease is less on foreign vessels, but th 9 ratio of tonnage increase is maintained. Thus the figures run: 1879 — vessels. B4, tonnage 70,770; and for 1886— vessels' 70, and tonnage 139,01-7. (3) Intercolonial : There is a large increase both in numbers and tonnage, the figures being : — 1879, vessels 77 ; and for 1896, 163, the respective tonnages being £5,359 and 184-.202. (4) Coastal : Here is where lie 3 the great diminution in numbers, and also slightly in tonnage — 1879, vessels 957, tonnage 190,462 ; and in 1896 only 343, and tonnage 145,146. Various reasons might be cited in explanation of this, but I will confine myself to pointing out that our dues upon shipping cannot be a cause of this falling off, as all coastal vessels, with rare eicepfcioo, , trade under exemption certificates, paying only one pilotage per annum and one port charge half-yearly. (5) You will also note that although the tonnage of vessels has so largely increased, our revenue for towage, which at onetime reached £SCOO per annum, has sunk^to about £3000. Tugs are not so much required on account of the improvement of the lower harbour. (6) The statistics of the Victoria channel and its traffic shows that in 1884 there were 651 vessels, of a tonnage of 129 069, and ' for 1895— vessels 476, tonnage 311,168. There is not much evidence of "silting up" there, as, although the number be fewer, the' tonnage is nearly three times as grea*-. In studying these figures and the lessons they are calculated to convey, it should also be borne in mind that the class ot vessels of former years — as, for example, our wool ships — were often in port for one, two, or three months, whereas steam vessels are not often more than a3 many days. This accounts for the wharves often beiug bare of shipping. If we wish, to increase our shipping we must endeavour to increase our volume of exports. Imports will come to their market of their own accord. The policy, therefore, of the board, I take it, should be mainly directed to encourage our producers by making the burdens upon them as light as possible, and promote theJ'acilities foe their getting produce on to the world's market at as ssaall a cost as can be done. To allow members to make any remarks they may wish I will move — " That the schedule of statistics now laid upon the table be printed in a neat form upon cards, with blank spaces for continuing the records annually as published, to be distributed to nwrchaijts and others." The following are the tables reFerred to :—

■*No separate return published until 1893. John L. Gillies, Secretary. Duneiin, April 17, 1897. Mr E. G. Ali-kn aßked if the proposal would cause much expense. He failed, he-eaid, to gen the use of the schedule. The Chaieman said that if it cost anything over £1 he would pay it himself. Mr Allen thought the schedule was of little use, though credit was due to the gentleman who compiled it. The changes shown were well-known and natural. The vessels were fewer in number, but of larger carrying capacity than formerly. They could recognise that without having information relating to it shown in a tabulated form. He was, however, greatly pleased to hear of an intention to encourage the export trade. That was what they ought to do in every way possible. It had been said that they had not increased the burdens of the shipping lately. He did not say they had been increased of late years, bub that the rates on shipping for many years past had been more than could he comfortably or profitably borne. The Board received nearly £H,OOO from pilotage, port charges, and towage, and the cost of the administration of the

harbourmaster's department, taking every- i thing in connection with it except interest on the cost of puttiDg down the buoys and beacone, only amounted to something like £6000, showing a profit of £8000 per annum on the shipping. When the board was in a position to reduce these charges with safety to its finance it certainly should do so. Mr Mackerras seconded the motion made by the chairman. He differed entirely from Mr Allen, and thought the tables prepared would open the eyes of people to the position of matters. This he deemed quite necessary, considering what they heard from certain quarters of trade being driven from the port on account of the operations of the Harbour Board. The facts showed a different state of matters, and proved that the shipping was increasing. From tho figures furnished to the board at the end of the year a substantial increase was apparent in every department. The proper time, however, to discuss this matter would probably be when the committee, which was now sitting, brought up its report on the motion passed at the last meeting of the board. Mr Joel said the statement was a very plain one. It showed that fewer but considerably larger vessels now visited our port ; but it did not show the actual progress of the business of the port. He therefore presented a table showing comparatively the imports and exports for the past eight years, these figures, he contended, being aafcisf aotory as proving that the port had not lost its prestige. ■ The main table was as follows :—: — ' —— i i

j "* No recorJ. ; Appended to the above vras a table giving the totals as follows :— lmport? : 1889. 140,000 tons ; 1890, 125,626 tons ; 1891, 125,930 tons ; 1892, 126,303 toua ; XS93 125,302 tons ; 1894, 117,056 tons ; 1895, 119,916 tons ; 1896,129,3941 tons. Exports : 1889. 57,616 tons ; 1890, 50,450 ton* ; 1891, 66 729 tons ; 1892, 72,195 . tons ; 1893. 68,4-43 rons ; 1894. 63,616 tons ; ; 1895, 72,324 tons ; 1896. 79 284 tons. To tain : ' 1889. 197,816 ton* ; 2890, 176,076 tons; 1&91, ; 19^,659 tons ; 1892, 193,498 tons ; 1893. 193,745 tons ; 1894-. 180,672 loas ; 1895, 192,240 tons : ; 1895, 208,678 tons. ] It was agreed that lha figures yrepared by Me ; Joel should ba included in the statement and j be printed and circulated, and the motion was j carried without dissent. \ This concluded the business. i

"Past y »ria Cha: abov< ear. RAFFIC I! Vicn nse: c). (arrivals mly, as <" o r" H >ISSJ 651 1893 499 1894 4S:i 1955 492 1896 476 4) l 167,069 295,688 299,495 327,668 311.16S a M . s O o 35116.942 37|41,525 37i38,126 3541,148 b7,47,179 d 55 27 63 102 147 133 M 8M 8 7,344 62,368 111,300 169,743 149,095 d 589 399 344 310 30G •3 g 103,683 191,705 150,069 116,777 114,894

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