THE PORT OF SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE PORT OF SOUTH CANTERBURY.

MODEBNLY EQUIPPED AND SAFE ANCHOBAGE. There is no better artificial harbour in Australasia than Timaru Harbour. The wharves have accommodation for vessels aggregating 3300 feet. All the large steamers, such as the Athenic, the Bemuera, the lonic, the Corinthic, the Botorua, the Northumberland, the Cornwall, the Hertford, etc., call regularly at Timaru. The valuation of the harbour district in 1904 was £7,308,540. In 1913 it was £13,750,108. Last year it was £19,005,712. The Customs revenue in 1879 was £18,681. In 1913 it was £62,000. In 1923 it was £134,122. The Harbour rate in 1913 produced £10,742 5s sd. Last year it produced £9898 16s Id. An 1877 the harbour revenue amounted to £I7BB 12s lOd. In 1882 it was £6045 8s 6d. In 1887 it was £13,574 18s 6d. In 1892 £18,933 14s 9d. In 1897 £19,467 13s lOd. In 1903 £31,277 13s 2d. In 1913 £42,036 2s Id. In 1923 £47,606 14s 7d. The figures given from 1892 onward include both ordinary revenue and harbour rate. Prior to 1892 there was no harbour rate. In 1883 the imports and exports totalled 61,927 tons; in 1893 they were 88,513 tons, in 1903, 142,699 tons, in 1913, 199,812 tons; in 1923, 150,088 tons were handled, the shrinkage being due to the Great War. The value of the trade in 1883 was £350,826; in 1893 it was £647, 697; in 1903, £1,056,102; in 1913, £1,606,722; in 1923, £1,877,624, exclusive of the value of coastal trade which was approximately £750,000. During the years 1922 and 1923 electric capstans were installed on all the wharves in order to give better despatch in working ships’ cargoes. At the present time the Harbour Board has under consideration schemes for further improving the port. The first harbour works were carried out 66 years ago.