WAIROA HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17009, 16 April 1926, Page 8

WAIROA HARBOR BOARD.

PAST YEAR'S- OPERATIONS

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT,

(Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day

The annual report of the chairman of the. Wairoa Harbor Board shows that no further hums lmvo been raised during the past year, the existing loans being £85,000 in respect of Wairoa harbor, and £32,000 on account of Waikokopu. Tho principal has been reduced by £.16,407, leaving the indebtedness at £100,593. Rates to provide interest and sinking fund on these loans were the same as the previous year, §d in the £ in the Wairoa district, and 5/32d in the £ in the Waikokopu district. The revenue for the past year is shown as follows, that for the previous year being given, in parentheses: — Wharfages, Wairoa £1560 (£2134), Waikokopu, £895 (£193), total £2455 (£2327); port charges, Wairoa £494 (£710), Waikokopu £261 (nil), total £755 (£710). SHIPPING RETURNS. The return of the number of vessels using the two ports during the year shows a decrease of 14 over the preceding year, but the gross tonnage increased by over 53,000 tons. Detailed figures arc as follows, the figures for 1924 being shown in parentheses): Vessels, Wairoa .153 (225), Waikokopu 91 (33); tonnage, Wairoa 11,733 (.17,332), Waikokopu, 66,34.1 (7126). The principal exports are returned as follows: Wairoa Waikokopu 1924 1925 1924 .1925 Word. 11,290 10,0-18 .1347 2,415 Flax 4,377 .10 Butter 3,384 3,970 Mutton & lamb 91,877 6,753 Beef , 8,80.1 1,504 -4,759 Totals 119,729 22,285 1347 97,420 On these the total exports from the two ports for 1925 shows a slight d.e crease over the previous year, hut the equivalent, in tons is not given in the report. 4 WAIROA HARBOR WORKS. , Commenting upon the Wairoa harbor work's the report states that maintenance- works at the heads, consisting, of repairs in the western wall and strengthening the piling, was- carried out during the year at. a cost of £763, leaving an unexpended balance of £133 13s (id of the. reinstatement loan moneys. The bar was workable on 213 days, compared, with 241 days in 1924. The wharVes and sheds were reported to Do in good order and-repair, the filling in and metalling of portions of the town wharves having been a great improvement which would reduce ’maintenance charges considerably. An extra goods shed having been vacated was now available to the Board. The Borough Council had in hand the .work of placing a protective bank along the river, tho concrete slabs now being ready for driving. PORT OF WAIKOKOPU.

Operated in conjunction with the Public -Works Department, the report states, Waikokopu has been satisfactory, and tho agreement with the Department in regard to the working of the wharf has been extended for a further twelve months from January 14, 1926. The two leading beacons have given satisfaction, and one of the two anchorage beacons is complete. 'J’ho second rear anchorage beacon and light has still to be erected, and this is to be gone- on with as the track is made to the site by the Public Works Departnpnit. The wharf, tho report states, is not finally completed, further spring having y.ei- to be driven. This work is to bo carried out by the Department, os soon as shipping will permit. The sinking of the Tnlunc ns n- breakwater had made an appreciable difference 1o U,r- working of the port during rough weather. , _ . . , The Board’s, cargo shod had been shifted from the entrance to the inner basin, to a site alongside the railway line near the wharf, and provided for (he proper handling of cargo.