A PROGRESSIVE PORT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 209, 28 May 1908, Page 7

A PROGRESSIVE PORT.

Tho annual, report of the Timaru Harbour Board is to hand,' and it makes interesting reading, indicating, as it does, the progress of a port contending against natural difficulties. "So far as the aetual revenue from ships and wharfage is concerned," states the report, " whilo we arc a triile (£474 19s. 2d.) under last year's totals, yet the amount is indeed a very handsqme sum, and compared' with the totals of the two previous decades i indicates the results which have followed the , progressive spirit of tho Boards of tho past. Tho t-otals arc as follow:—1887, £9284 10s. 3d.; 1897, £13,003 6s. 2d.;. 1907, £23,791 18s. 10d. There is also a slight falling off (5196 tons) in tho total imports and exports, but it has to be noted that somo 10,618 tons of wheat and oats and GBSB bales of wool were shipped less than the previous year. As against this, there is tho fact that the imports have increased by 7067 tons, while tho value of imports and exports as per the Customs returns (apart from the, imports and exports, of_ which tho Department ; keep no record, which would add . a sum anywhere within tho region of .three-quarters of a million pounds) have increased by '£170,764 (£1,343,320 to £1,514,039). Tho sequel to a smaller amount of cargo handled has beer 1 'the additional factor, a reduction in the . total tonnage—4s3,4s6 tons for 1906 tc 1 397,170 tons for 1907. There is, however, lie reason to bo in the least disconcerted, the standing of the port is guaranteed, tho dis- " trict is being gradually opened up, and tin outlook is assuring; and thero is no roasor (o doubt but that the highly satisfactory fin ances of tho. Board for somo .years past wil bo maintained and . probably considerably in creased in tho future. In this connection s the secretary would remind members of tin i- gratifying position occupied on April 12, whei c wo berthed at our wharves eight vessels o i- o total tonnage of 28,960 tons." o