H.—15

The following statement shows the net tonnage of shipping entered the port, the tonnage of coal shipped, and the financial result for each year since the Department has had control of the harbour : —

For the seven years from 1924-25 to 1930-31 (inclusive) there was an average annual surplus of £2,563 16s. lid., but during the past three years with a heavy decline in coal export the finances of the harbour have shown a substantial deficit. In order to minimize the loss the Department has been compelled to reduce expenditure in every possible direction. The extension of the breakwaters had to be discontinued and the bucket dredge " Maui " laid up. In an endeavour to maintain a satisfactory depth of water on the bar the suction dredge " Eileen Ward " has been kept in commission. The depths in the river are being closely watched, and the dredge " Maui " will be recommissioned when the circumstances demand it. The depth of water at the entrance to the port has occasioned some concern recently, and the whole question is at present under investigation with a view to ascertaining the best method of coping with the ever-recurring problem of the shoaling of the bar. Lack of trade, and consequently of funds, has been the obstacle to the prosecution of any major works during the past three years. Greymouth Harbour. A subsidy amounting to £7,875 was paid to the Greymouth Harbour Board during the year in pursuance of the provisions of section sof the Greymouth Harbour Board Amendment Act, 1920. This is the first occasion on which the Marine Department has been called upon to make the payment. In the past the subsidy has been paid out of permanent appropriations under special Acts. Harbour Works. Westport Harbour. —No further construction work has been carried out on this harbour for the year. There has been a steady shoaling on the bar, and for the first three months the average depth was maintained, but in July a decline set in, which has been more or less continuous, owing to moderate seas, light to moderate freshes, and the light to strong easterly set which prevailed. The average working depth at high-water on the bar was 19 ft. 7 in., a decrease of 1 ft. 11 in. since last year, and 3 ft. since 1932. The average working depth in the river was 24 ft. 10 in., an increase of 5 in. on last year, but at the berthage area the depths have decreased slightly. The suction dredge " Eileen Ward " has removed 340,875 cubic yards of material from the bar, 30,455 cubic yards from the lower river, and 10,050 cubic yards from the floating basin and berthage area. The dredge was overhauled at Westport on the 4th May, 1933, and did not resume dredging until the 7th August. She proceeded to Wellington for annual survey on the 2nd January last. Throughout the year the work was hampered by bad weather and insufficient water on the bar. The work on dredges and other plant has kept the workshops staff fully employed. The signal station was painted during the year, and the beacon and harbour lights are in good order. The willow plantations have also received attention. The shoaling of the bar has occasioned some concern, and the Marine Engineer is now engaged on the preparation of a report with recommendations as to future policy for the harbour. Survey work is being carried out and additional tidal observations made, and a study is in hand of the progressive changes following past efforts to improve the depth by means of training-walls and moles. Since the close of the year covered by this report, a marked improvement in bar conditions has taken place due to favourable natural conditions, and for the past three months shipping has been able to work the bar without inconvenience. Karamea Harbour. —This harbour has not been worked since 1931, and conditions in the river show no signs of improving. Little Wanganui Harbour. —In August and September the bar again shoaled. At this stage the a.s. " Fairburn " was delayed in port for four weeks. A combination of freshes and seas then improved conditions, and the entrance has since remained satisfactory. Repairs have been effected to the mooring-pile and pilot boat, and snags have been removed from the river. A proposal has been prepared for improvement to the facilities for handling merchandise at the wharf.

3

Year. Ton^f 6 ° f d ° oal Financial Result. entered. I £ s. d. 1921-22 .. .. .. .. 273,706 480,873 Deficit 38,113 2 7 1922-23 .. .. .. .. 332,401 573,487 „ 12,038 9 4 1923-24 .. .. .. .. 275,762 442,070 „ 4,333 14 7 1924-25 .. .. .. .. 334,827 556,669 Surplus 5,711 17 0 1925-26 .. .. .. .. 386,669 552,949 „ 5,630 8 0 1926-27 .. .. .. .. 459,670 637,165 „ 10,207 1 4 1927-28 .. .. .. .. 466,021 623,256 „ 81 6 6 1928-29 .. .. .. .. 458,712 604,778 Deficit 4,657 7 6 1929-30 .. .. .. .. 479,623 625,835 Surplus 1,397 6 10 . 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 352,228 513,503 Deficit 423 13 10 1931-32 .. .. .. .. 234,936 336,873 „ 12,200 9 7 1932-33 .. .. .. .. 223,936 282,163 „ 10,458 2 8 1933-34 .. .. .. .. 240,132 280,080 „ 8,896 13 7