GROWTH OF THE PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1923, Page 6

GROWTH OF THE PORT.

RECORD CUSTOMS RECEIPTS. HEAVY IMPORTATIONS LAST YEAR ECLIPSED. With a total of £83.090, the entries passed at the New Plymouth Customs during the past 11 months exceed by approximately £19,000 the entries passed during the whole of last year, while the entries of the past month, £10,4443 4s lid, may be eaid to constitute a new record in the history of the port. This monthly total was exceeded on one occasion, in May, 1920, when the entries reached the high figure of £13,025, but at that time there were big clearances from the Hawera bond. This bond does not now come within the scope of the New Plymouth office. The growth of importations during the past year and of the direct shipping coming to the port are made evident by the figures recorded from month to month during the eleven months just gone. Every month has revealed an increase as compared with the corresponding month of last year- Only in two months of 1922 was the £6OOO mark passed, November producing £BlOB and October £0147. The totals for the other months hovered in the vicinity of to £5OOO and on one occasion came down below that figure. During the current year, however. February was the only month below the £6OOO mark, entries to the value of £4OOO odd being passed. Thia Tall was probably due to the fact that there was a general easing off in imports tions due to the heavy arrivals for the summer and Christmas trade stocking up ehops to carry them over autumn to the beginning of winter. The record figures of the past month were mainly due ro importations from England by the Dorset, Remuera and Arawa and by the Waihemo from Vancouver’and San Francisco. The Dorset and Waihemo came to New Plymouth but the cargo from the other two vessels was transhipped at Wellington. As is usual for November importations most of the goods were intended for the Christmas and holiday trade In addition to the past month’s record total, April. May and October of this year have each produced returns of ever *£Booo. As the totals are made up of entries varying in amount from a few pence to £lOOO ar.;l often over that :igure. they reveal some idea of the volume of trade in varying general merchandise that :s being carried* on in Taranaki through the port of New Plymouth. The class of goods being imported for general use, apart from the hulk cargoes, it is stated, is of a substantial nature and comprises mostly liuee of a high quality.