H.—ls.

During the year the average working-depth on the bar at high water was 22 ft. 8 in.f|This is a substantial increase on 20 ft. 10 in. for the preceding comparative period and 20 ft. for 1934-35. The average working-depth in the river at high water was 24 ft. 6 in., as against 23 ft. 6 in. for 1935-36 and 24 ft. for 1934-35. This increase in depth followed the general trend of improved bar conditions for the first half of the year, but whereas definite shoaling occurred on the bars, the improvement in the fairway was maintained. A factor of definite effect in this connection, however, was that 216,434 cubic yards of material was lifted during the year by the " Eileen Ward " from the lower river fairway —i.e., from the crane wharf to the bar —as against 97, 277 for the preceding year, whilst the amount lifted during 1934-35 was 134,939 cubic yards. Dredging operations were confined to the suction dredge " Eileen Ward," the bucket dredge " Maui '' and the suction dredge " Rubi Seddon " still remaining out of commission. The " Eileen Ward " worked on 158 days and dredged a total of 535,105 cubic yards, of which 267,687 were taken from the bar, 216,434 from the lower river, 38,073 from the berthages, and 12,911 from the floating basin. The dredging was carried out at a cost of 4-83 d. per cubic yard, which is less than the unit cost per yard for the previous two years. The favourable cost of the dredging was accounted for by the fact that the dredger was not docked during the year, in which case there would have been increased costs and smaller output. The I Eileen Ward " was well maintained throughout the year, and a large amount of reconditioning was carried out during the period the vessel was under survey and overhaul. A comparison of the shipping entering the port during this year as against the previous two years shows very little difference, and amounted to 257,506 tons. For the twelve months under review eighteen large overseas vessels worked the port, as against sixteen for the previous period and fourteen for 1934-35. Rain fell on 229 days, an exceptionally large number, and 90-61 in. were recorded on the harbour gauge. This was the wettest year since 1931-32, when 114-55 in. fell. The reticulation of the main beacons, signal-station, and the two signalmen's cottages was put in hand during the year, the work being completed shortly after the close of the period. This work involved erection of 3J miles of transmission-line, nearly three of which is high-tension line. All plant and buildings have been kept in good repair. No major construction-work was carried out during the year, but repairs to the breakwater and river-protection work have been authorized. Preliminary work in the clearing of the Cape Foulwind line for the resumption of quarrying work and repairs to the Organ's Island Bridge have been put in hand. The following statement shows the coal trade, shipping, and financial statistics of Westport Harbour for each year since the Department has had control of the port:—

The finances show an improvement of £3,000 over the previous year's figures in spite of increased expenditure due to restoration of salaries and wages and increased coal costs. It is interesting to note that the financial statement this year is the best presented for a six-year period, and the more satisfactory position is accounted for by increased coal shipments. The revenue at this port is sufficient to meet normal working-expenses, interest on loans, and interest on advances from the Consolidated Fund, but is still unable to provide for sinking fund. The bunkering of vessels at Westport is encouraged as far as possible by reduced port dues on the vessels calling for bunkering purposes only, and this portion of the harbour trade continues to show

4

Net Tonnage x ge of Year. of Shipping c , gll jp ped Expenditure. Revenue. Financial Result, entered. : £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1921-22 .. 273,706 480,873 63,950 1 10 25,836 19 3 Deficit 38,113 2 7 1922-23 .. 332,401 573,487 50,738 17 5 38,700 8 1 „ 12,038 9 4 1923-24 .. 275,762 442,070 46,619 111 42,285 7 4 „ 4,333 14 7 1924-25.. 334,827 556,669 44,666 14 0 50,378 11 0 Surplus 5,71117 0 1925-26 .. 386,669 552,949 51,909 4 11 57,539 12 11 „ 5,630 8 0 .1926-27 .. 459,670 637,165 52,769 12 6 62,976 13 10 „ 10,207 1 4 1927-28 .. 466,021 623,256 65,828 1 7 65,909 8 1 „ 81 6 6 1928-29 .. 458,712 604,778 68,871 13 0 64,214 5 6 Deficit 4,657 7 6 1929-30 .. 479,623 625,835 64,877 10 5 66,274 17 3 Surplus 1,397 6 10 1930-31 .. 352,228 513,503 53,436 16 9 53,013 2 11 Deficit 423 13 10 1931-32 .. 234,936 336,873 46,803 2 4 34,602 12 9 „ 12,200 9 7 1932-33 .. 223,936 282,163 40,974 8 9 30,516 6 1 „ 10,458 2 8 1933-34 .. 240,132 280,080 39,783 7 4 30,886 13 9 „ 8,896 13 7 1934-35 .. 253,041 291,449 39,011 8 8 30,773 2 5 „ 8,238 6 3 1935-36 .. 260,111 295,067 41,480 16 9 30,891 0 7 „ 10,589 16 2 1936-37 .. 257,506 345,507 41,785 2 7 34,300 11 1 „ 7,484 11 6