TRADE HOLDING WELL

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 7

TRADE HOLDING WELL

POSITION OF PORT OF BLUFF INCREASE IN EXPORT TONNAGE A statement that, although the statistical figures for 1940 would not be available until the end of the year, it was interesting to note that the port of Bluff’s trade had held fairly well despite drastic import restrictions and 12 months of world war was made by the chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board (Mr W. J. A. McGregor) when giving an address on the port at the annual meeting of the Gore Chamber of Commerce. Mr McGregor said that the early records of New Zealand showed that Bluff was an important whaling station, although it was then known as Port McQuarrie. Riverton was a rival with Bluff as the southern port in the early 60’s but the natural advantages of Bluff prevailed and the Bluff harbour was defined in 1868. The first Harbour Board Act was passed in 1870 and the present Bluff Harbour Board was constituted in 1877, the first meeting being held on January 18, 1877. “Bluff is a natural tidal harbour, Mr McGregor said, “having a water area of approximately 22 square miles with a comparatively narrow entrance channel. A strong tidal flow is experienced in the entrance channel, and as this tide reaches a rate of about seven knots between Stirling Point and Te Wais during spring tides, it has the effectof always keeping the channel clear. The swinging basin has a width of 2500 feet at the widest part and a width of 870 feet near the western end of the mam wharf. Vessels drawing up to 21 feet can be handled at low water, while the depth of water at No. 1 berth is 31 feet, low water ordinary spring tides. Wharfage accommodation is available for three large overseas vessels, each about 500 feet in length and one overseas vessel of 400 feet, and two coastal vessels besides the local craft.”

CARGO TONNAGE The tonnage of cargo handled through the port for the 12 months ended December 31, 1939, Mr McGregor said, was: Imports 83,295, exports 86,853, total 170,148. Bluff overseas expoi'ts amounted to £3,539,880, or more than l-16th of the New Zealand total of £58,008,717. This meant that, based on a total population of 72,770 for the port district in accordance with the last census, the value of Bluff’s overseas export trade a head of population was £4B/12/11. In particular lines of export cargo, Bluff occupied the following positions in comparison with othei' New Zealand ports: Flax'(lst) 884 tons; rabbits, frozen (Ist) 1280 tons; timber (2nd) 1,241,225 sq. feet; seeds (2nd) 614 tons; fish, frozen (2nd) 534 tons; frozen lamb (3rd) 19,108 tons; rabbitskins (3rd) 246,254 skins; cheese (4th) 11,507 tons; tallow (sth) 1,726 tons; wool, sliped (sth) 10,594 bales; wool greasy (6th) 43,702 bales. In the export trade of oysters overseas, Bluff occupied first place for fresh oysters with 52,745 dozen and first place for tinned oysters with 100 tons. As most of the fresh oysters were consumed in New Zealand they did not appear in the statistics as exports from Bluff, but it was interesting to note that for the last season the catch from Foveaux Straits was 73;073 sacks, or more than 60,000,000 oysters. “Bluff occupies sixth place in New Zealand ports ir. the matter of overseas vessels arriving at the port,” Mr McGregor said. “With 121 vessels, sixth place in overseas net tonnage with 440,106 tons, and sixth place in total net tonnage with 542,248 tons. Although the statistical figures fox- 1940 will not be available until afte. the close of the calendar year it is interesting to note that our trade has held fairly well despite drastic import restrictions and 12 months of world war. For the 10 months of this financial year, compared with the similar period in 1939, imports are down by 22,295 tons. On the othei' hand our exports show an increase of 10,906 tons compared with the totals for last year. This may at first sight appear considerable, but as the decrease is just under 8 per cent, it must be accepted as very satisfactory, • taking everything into consideration. One of the large northern ports, which relies mainly on imports, recently reported a total trade decrease fox' this year of 22 per cent, compared with last year.” Revenue was also being well maintained, Mr McGregor said, and while the figures for the 10 months were about £6BOO behind those of last year, they showed an increase over the board’s estimated revenue for the period. War had been declared a few weeks previous to the preparation of the estimates last October, so the board deemed it wise to work on a conservative estimate of revenue and curtail expenditure accordingly. Capital expenditure was being kept to a minimum at the present time, but dredging was a very heavy item, as provision had to be made for the deep-draught vessels which frequented the port. HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS

“The board is fully conscious of the fact that additional berthage accommodation and improved cargo working facilities will have to be provided in the near future if Bluff is to maintain its status as one of the important ports in this country, but of course the question of such expenditure has been shelved in the meantime,” said Mr McGregor. “Such provision will mean heavy loan expenditure, and this will have to be met by a levy of some kind, whether it be by a land rate, a harbour improvement charge or increased charges. At the present time Bluff is one of the few ports without either a rating area or a harbour improvement rate, but we will have to face the problem before extensive improvements can be carried out. “The South Island-to-Melbourne service is a matter that vitally concerns our province,” Mr McGregor said. “Just as the Maunganui was about to resume her summer running last year, war was declared and her itinerary was cancelled, tire service being left to the cargo vessel Waitaki, and as this was done on the score of economy no objection could be raised justifiably. I am firmly of the opinion that when the war is over and matters are again normal, the claims of the South Island should again be pressed for an all-the-year-round service with a passenger vessel. I would appeal to you and to all Southlanders.” he told the chamber, “to look upon Bluff as it really is—your own port—and to do all in your power to stimulate trade, both import, and export, through this nort. If this is done' the future of Bluff harbour should indeed be a prosperous one.”