MATERIAL BENEFITS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17116, 23 November 1929, Page 7

MATERIAL BENEFITS

REDUCTIONS OF COSTS EFFECT OF TOLAGA WHARF Speakers at the oflicial function in connection with the opening of the now wharf at Tolaga Bay mentioned at various times the benefits which would accrue to the district through the elimination of lightering charges on cargo imported into or exported from the Uawa County. Investigations by a pressman uncovered some very substantial benefits already enjoyed by the community of Tolaga Bay in relation to trade over the new wharf.

During the last few months prior to the turn-over to the new wharf, freight from Auckland to Tolaga Bay was 42s Gd per ton, including the cost of lightering the cargo into the river. This freight rate has been reduced bo 32s per ton since the coastal vessels began to berth at the new wharf, and while this rate is similar to that given ■to Tokomaru Bay, the Tolaga Bay Board hopes to secure a further reduction, to the same level as for Gisborne cargo. What the saving already effected will mean to the district may be judged from the fact that in one recent year over 3000 tons of cargo were handled by the lightering plant; during the last year or two, with the improvement of the main highway to Gisborne and the growth of competition between road transport agencies, the trade of the port has fallen away to some extent, but with the new facilities it is expected the pendulum will swing the other way, and port traffic will increase while the highways will carry a smaller commercial load, with consequent benefit to the ratepayers. The highways of the sea require no upkeep by ratepayers, whereas the roads are a source of heavy expense to county councils. > When the first direct-loading overseas liner comes to Tolaga Bay for wool on December 27, every bale of wool lightered from the now wharf will represent a saving of 4s to the owners, as comparcu with what it formerly cost to handle wool at this port. Many of Iho farmers of the district are reported to be holding back their clips ior shipment Home by this steamier for the March sales at London, -and it is expected that the total amount lifted from Tolaga Bay will be a substantial one. It, will not bo possible for the Home steamer to both at the wharf, of course, but the lightering of the wool will be a comparatively simple matter, under the new conditions created by the energy of the board.

A good instance of how the, domestic trade of the township will be affected bjr the building of the wharf was given recently, when a shipment of 40 tons of coal was brought over the wharf bv a Tolaga Bay merchant. The saving on this shipment, by elimination ox lightering under the old conditions, amounted to £2 a ton, it is understood, and the coal was retailed at 8s per bag,instead of lls -fid as formerly. Tolaga Bay residents now get their coal as cheaply as Gisborne residents.