H,— ls
These figures disclose that the year's operations produced a surplus of £3,301 15s. 9d. after making full provision for depreciation and interest on capital. This is the best result that has been obtained since the commercial balance-sheet system was instituted thirteen years ago, during which period the financial position has worked out as follows : —
The Department has continued to pursue a policy of rigid economy throughout the year under review and expenditure of only an essential nature has been incurred. The revenue is continuing to show a steady increase, having risen from £120,846 15s. 4d. in 1931-32 to £127,799 15s. Bd. in 1933-34. Westport Habbour. The following statement shows the revenue and expenditure in respect of Westport Harbour for the past thirteen years : —
The loss for the year under review amounted to £8,896 13s. 7d. after charging interest on loans, depreciation, and sinking fund. The position, although by no means satisfactory, is a little better than it was last year. The decline in revenue consequent upon the severe depression in the coal industry has left the harbour with an income barely sufficient to meet minimum working-expenses plus interest on loans, the deficit this year representing approximately the total of depreciation and sinking fund. The bunkering trade has shown a slight improvement, but does not bear comparison with what it was four years ago. The number of vessels which called at Westport for bunker coal during the past nine years is as follows : —
The port dues with respect to ships calling for bunker coal have been reduced to a minimum, with the object of encouraging this trade as much as possible.
2
: Before paying Interest After paying Interest ar ' | on Capital. on Capital. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1921-22 .. .. .. Deficit 74,146 4 2 Deficit 95,153 14 11 1922-23 .. .. .. „ 48,082 11 0 „ 63,798 18 3 1923-24 „ 9,759 8 1 „ 27,231 4 9 1924-25 .. .. .. „ 2,144 4 11 „ 19,882 0 6 1925-26 .. .. .. Surplus 517 2 2 „ 17,294 8 10 1926-27 „ 5,881 5 2 „ 12,124 0 10 1927-28 „ 5,941 6 0 „ 12,178 12 0 1928-29 .. .. .. „ 17,531 8 1 Surplus 1,474 15 2 1929-30 .. .. .. „ 8,494 8 11 Deficit 8,940 6 3 1930-31 „ 1,891 10 5 •„ 16,365 0 9 1931-32 „ 5,877 19 4 „ 14,316 12 6 1932-33 .. .. •• „ 22,885 6 2 Surplus 2,276 1 9 1933-34 .. . .. „ 23,935 16 9 „ 3,301 15 9
Year. Expenditure. Revenue. Year. Expenditure. Revenue. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1921-22 .. 63,950 1 10 25,836 19 3 1928-29 .. 68,871 13 0 64,214 5 6 1922-23 .. 50,738 17 5 38,700 8 1 1929-30 .. 64,877 10 5 66,274 17 3 1923-24 .. 46.619 111 42,285 7 4 1930-31 .. 53,436 16 9 53,013 2 11 1924-25 .. 44,666 14 0 50,378 11 0 1931-32 .. 46,803 2 4 34,602 12 9 1925-26 .. 51,909 4 11 57,539 12 11 1932-33 .. 40,974 8 9 30,516 6 1 1926-27 .. 52,769 12 6 62,976 13 10 1933-34 .. 39,783 7 4 30,886 13 9 1927-28 .. 65,828 1 7 65,909 8 1
Year. Number of Vessels. Quantity Goal Tons. 1925-26 .. .. .. 20 1926-27 .. .. .. 44 1927-28 .. .. .. 51 54,993 1928-29 .. .. .. 54 54,083 1929-30 .. .. .-. 57 61,546 1930-31 .. .. .. 24 25,969 1931-32 .. .. .. 10 7,637 1932-33 .... .. 7 6,872 1933-34 .. .. .. 14 12,703