THE HARBOR YEAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18256, 27 November 1933, Page 3

THE HARBOR YEAR

CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW TRADE IMPROVES SLIGHTLY ADJUSTMENT TO CONDITIONS In his annual review of Harbor Board activities, submitted to the monthly meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board to-day, Mr. John Tombleson, the chairman, was able to indicate a slight recovery in the trade figures of the port, and a general adjustment of expenses and methods to meet the changed conditions of harbor administration. Mr. Tombleson’s review was as under:—

“The total number of trading vessels to enter the port during the period was 41(5, aggregating 313,123 tons not register. Compared with the previous year, these figures show an increase of 4030 tons. Thirty-six Home steamers of a total tonnage of 202.990 net register (included in the above figures) entered the port during the year. In the previous year exactly the same number of Home vessels entered, but the tonnage then was only 193,553. TR ADE OF THE PORT “The returns of cargo handled at the port during the year show an increase of both imports and exports as compared with the quantities for the previous year. The figures for the last seven years are as follows; —

1933 .. 43,398 41,020 84,418 Of tho above tonnage the quantities lightered inward and outward (including meats) were:—l927, 43,333 tons; 1928, 39,628 tons; 1929, 43,408 tons; 1930, 20,259 tons; 1931, 22,826 tons; 1932, 21,381 tons; 1933, 23,527 tons. RATE “Tho large amount of rates outstanding at the beginning of the year and the probable difficulty of obtaining settlement made it necessary for the board to increase their demands for revenue to meet interest and sinking fund payments. “To avoid unduly increasing the harbor district rate the additional deficiency was partly provided for by increasing the wharfage charges by 10 per cent, on all imports and exports and by drawing upon the reserve fund, of which the sum of £4700 was so used. This enabled the board to keep down the necessary increase in the district rate to two thirty-seconds of one penny in the pound—making the rate twenty-one thirty-seconds of one penny in place ot nineteen thirty-seconds levied in the previous year. STATEMENT OF ACOUNTS “The treasurer’s statement of accounts for the year ended September 50, 1933, has been prepared and awaits examination by the Government Audit Department before it can he submitted to the board for adoption. “The revenue account (excluding rates) shows that tho total income receivable for the year amounted to £41,414 7s Id. Rates, after allowing for adjustments, provided an additional £36,816 18s. The revenue expenditure, including interest and sinking fund payments (£57,650 10s 6d) amounted to £76,304 13s 2d and allowing for £9128 16s 2d for depreciation, left a debit balance of £4032 3s (after allowing for the credit balance of £3170 Is 3d brought forward from last year). The income from wharfage and storage on cargo amounted to £15,958 11s lOd, an increase of £591 8s 9d on the previous year’s amount. Charges on vessels produced £13,497 19s 7d, an increase of £l6O 2s lid on the previous year. The sum of £5365 was receivable as rents. LOAN AND SINKING FUNDS “A further sum of £4lO 8s 7d was expended during the, year on the new rooms for the waterside workers. At the end of the year the 1924-54 loan account showed a cretiit balance ol £4276 19s Id. The position at September 30 regarding expenditure of the £814,000 of loan money raised was that the total net expenditure had.amounted to £809,723 0s lid, leaving a balance of £4276 19s Id still available for works. “The sinking fund commissioners’ accounts giving particulars of tho three funds administered by them show that the net earnings received during the year amounted to £3776 14s, also that, during the period, they invested further sums amounting to £BOOO, including the additional sinking fund instalments paid to them. At the end of the year the 1914-44 sinking fund had accumulated to tho sum of £31,421 14s lOd, and the 1924-54 sinking fund to the sum of £33,796 12s 7d. The balance of the reserve fund remaining in the commissioner’s hands after paying £4700 back to the board for the purpose of keeping down the rate, amounted to £12,148 19s 2d. The total amount of the funds in the commissioner’s hands at September 30 last was £77,367 6s 7d.. INNER HARBOR “The harbormaster’s soundings taken throughout the year and up to the present time show that the depths are being satisfactorily maintained with the assistance only of the small Priestnian grub. Nevertheless, as pointed out by the harbormaster in August last, it is probable that it will become necessary that steps he taken to prevent further sand accumulation in the wave expansion basin before it causes shoaling in tho lower part of the channel. The grab dredge was kept at work during tho year wherever required in the Waikanae basin, the Kaiti basin, and in the channel.

“With the exception of the waterside workers’ new rooms, the works carried out during the year consisted of ordinary maintenance jobs. The timber wall at the entrance to the Waikanae basin was protected from wave action by placing some 10-ton blocks and rubble filling on each side and tho dolphins at the entrance to this basin were filled with stone and broken concrete, to minimise range action within the area. “Tho 20-ton travelling crane., which had been stored in tho railway yard at Nnhaka. after being hired to a contractor for use at the Waikokopu harbor, was sold to the Oainavu Harbor Board in May for £1250.

TAIJWHAREPARAE ENDOWMENT “The subdivided area of Tamvhareparae lands referred to in my last annual report were offered at public auction for lease for 42 years under terms providing that the rent each seven years after the first seven would be adjusted by agreement or arbitration. With the reserves set up by the board the offering failed to interest tenderers and each of the seven lots was passed in. Negotiations With the tenants in possession resulted in completion of arrangements to lease the

lands for an additional two years at low rentals. If world trade conditions continue to show the present improvement, no doubt the board may anticipate receipt of satisfactory offers when the laud is again submitted next year. “With reference to tiie 12 leases, aggregating about 18,400 acres, the lirst 2i years’ term of which expired on June 30, 1933, the serious question that arose regarding the tenants' obligation to carry out grassing improvements, for which tlie hoard was liable to pay compensation at the end of another 21 years, gave the board considerable concern. Until May last, attempts to compromise failed, and the tenants and tho board became involved in considerable cost in preparing for testing the case in tho Supreme Court. Fortunately the necessity to settle the question by legal process was eventually avoided. The secretary put forward proposals that brought about a settlement satisfactory to both parties and the way was cleared for renewal of tho leases for the second term of 21 years on reasonable terms. STAFF AND BOARD’S PERSONNEL “With the view to making further economies in carrying on the maintenance of the port considerable adjustment was made in staff arrangements. Oil the termination of the engineer’s engagement the secretary was appointed secretarymanager. The services of a number of workmen were dispensed with. A working foreman was engaged. Tho duties of the remaining men were rearranged and considerable saving was thereby effected. "At the elections of borough anil payers of dues representatives early in the year, the sitting members who were nominated were re-elected. Tho seats of Messrs. T. Todd and A. Wade, who did not seek re-election, were filled liy the election of Messrs. .T. .T. Macdonald and Charles Scott. “In conclusion, I have pleasure in again recording my thanks and appreciation of the valuable, co-operation and assistance at all times given to me by the deputy-chairman, the members of the committees and all the members of the board. I desire also to express my thanks (o Mr. Barton, secretary-manager, and Captain Carson, harbormaster, andj their staffs for the loyal and efficient manner in which they have carried out' their duties.”-

Imports Exports Total (Tons) (Tons) (Tons) 1927 .. 60,494 35,187 101,681 1!I2S .. 64,379 41,860 106,329 1929 .. 71,277. 41,607 112,882 1930 .. 69,61.9 38,491 108,110 1991 . 7.1,7)19 38,981 90,500 1932 .. 43,133 38,331 81,464