THE HARBOUR YEAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1392, 19 March 1912, Page 3

THE HARBOUR YEAR.

REPORT AND REVIEW. . • HARBOUR BOARD ANNUAL MEETING TRADE INCREASING. FINANCES REGARDED AS SATISFACTORY. The annual meeting of the "Wellington Harbour Hoard was held at noon yesterday, Hie chairman (Mr. ]!. Fletcher) presiding. Also present were: Messrs. C. \V. Jones. Tewsloy, ,F. 'J'rcvor, J. W. JHOwan, and AT. Cohen. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. C. E. Danicll, J. 10. Fitzgerald, P. C. Frceth, and ]{. C. Hcnner. Printed copies of the statement of accounts for the year, together with the annual reports of the board's officers, and statistics showing its position, were laid on the table. Tho chairman moved formally that the accounts and reports should be received aud read—a lengthy statement reviewing the year's work and outlining tho policy that ho thought should guide tho board in tho coming year. A Satisfactory Increase. Hβ staged, inter alia, "goods passing inwards totalled 479,80R ton?, as against 435,43!) tons in the previous year, being an increase of 44,367 tuns, equivalent to 10.18 per cent, this volume of business has only been exceeded on one occasion, viz., 1907-8, known as vlie boom year. "For the period to September SO, transhipments amounted to 138,233 tons, an increase of 11,522 tons, or 9 per cent., which is a record for the port, and bears testimony to the excellent facilities gjven. "Tho iinports from coastal and intercolonial ports amounted to 172,601 tons, as against 133,735 tons, and shows a slight decrease of 1858 tons, or LOG per cent. "Wool and hemp exports for the vear amounted to 240,719 bales for IDIO-11, against 252,332 the previous year, a decreaso of 11,083 hales, or 1.59 per cent, which year was a record oue. "Although wool and hemp ex rail and store show a decreaso of some 10,387 bales, wool 3li'J3, " hemp CGG'J, water-borne wool and hemp for shipment increased by -trst bales, the figures being from 83,016 to 87,800 bales. "The amount of coal handled in the various ways at the port, shows a decrease of some 24,986 tons on the preceding vear, and is probably accounted for by (he large shipments during the strike trouble at Newcastle in that year; taking the- year 1008-9 the increase amounts lo 1074 tons. "Tho exports of general goods passing over the whavves for colonial and coastal ports show an increase of 8503 tons, or 7.15 per cent, over the preceding year, and constitutes a ne.v record for the port. "The export of frozen meat, butter, cheese, tallow, tic, for shipment to British and foreign ports totalled 47,468 tons, and. for the year 1909-10, 50,735 tons, a decrease of 3207 or C.4 per cent. It will be feen from tlu , table that butter shows a decrease • f 700 tons and cheese a decrease of 4244 ton?. Frozen meat is almost identical for the two periods. ' A Record in Tonnage, "Tonnage of vessels entering the port for the year exceeded all previous records, both in rejard to ships and net registered tonnaga, tho number of vessels lic-ing 3G37, with a net tonnage, of 2,998,201 tens, as compared with 3486 vessels with a net tonnage 0f'2,901,375 tons, an increase of 151 vessels and 90,829 tons, or 3.34 per cent, increase. "The past year has been an exceptional one, the tonnage of tho oversea shipping has risen to 2,090,307 tons, aud is 100,515 tens higher than any previous year. Two new.regular lines of steamers trading to the port luivo been inaugurated this year, viz. : t The New Zealand Shipping Company's Canadian line, and the TJnion Steam Ship Company's San Francisco line. . Handsome Balance of Assets. "In regard to the balance-sheet and accounts, the akets of the board on September 30, 1911, are estimated at J;1,254,70l as against .£1,109,732, an increase of .£174,972. The total liabilities of the beard amounted to .£803,993, the balance of assets over liabilities of .£480,709, an increase over last ye.ir's figures of •£121,017." Late Trade Statistics. Mr. Fletcher submitted the following tables, giving trado statistics for the periods indicated:— for period October 1, 1911, to January 31, 1912 (four months). Corresponding I'igurea 1912. Last year. Tons. Tons. InwardsForeign tonnage of goods over wharves 64,237 55,160 Col. and coastal tonnage of goods over wharves 54,069 54,409 Transhipments — Tonnago of goods over wharves 51,039 46,066

170,215 155,035 InwardsSup, ft. Sup. ft. Timber over wharves 5,287,005 4,081,397 Tons. Tons. Coal over wharves -18.114 -11,722 Trans'nippeil— Bales. Bales. Wool, skins, hemp, and tow 43,112 45,701 Ex shore and railWool, skins, hemp, and tow 81,212 90,367 124,661 136,068 OutwardsTons. Tons. Foreign over wharves, tallow, meats, etc. 9,448 10,933 Col. and coastal over wharves, tallow, meats, etc 40,240 38,723 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Timber over wharves 618,314 372,701 Five months to February 29, 1912. Tons. Tons. Shipping arrivals, net reg. tonnage 1,302,786 1,291,126 £ £ Kec. pilotage, port ' charges and H.M. fees 7,920 7,843 Bookings to ledger accounts 97,437 80,050 Total receipts revenue account 92,262 85,821 "Inward wharfage has increased bv M3W from .£10,160 to .£52,479. "Transhipment wharfago amounted to 27,207 tons; this represents an increase of 4571 tons on the previous year. "Outward wharfage has increased bv £934, from £. 11,440 to .£12,374. Harbour improvement rate totalled .£14,002, against .£IO,OOB last year. "Storage, cr.iuage, and berthage rate show slight increases, while woolpressing and wool exhibition charges show a decrease. Special Reserve Fund. "The profit and loss statement for the year shows It credit of .£11,176 as compared with a credit balance of J2G216 for tho preceding year. The amount of X7OBB, being half of the surplus, will bo transferred to the special ressrvo fund in accordance with the board's resolution. The total of the S.E. fund will then be ... £3,185 1909-10 7,OS!j 1910-11 Total "Tho sinking fund on September 30, 1911, amounted, to .£127,600 Its. Id., of which .£12G,85G 6s. Id. were investments and .CBIO Ss. interest accrued. This fund shows an increase for the year of .010,337 ■t-=. 7d. Tiic hoard contributed .£4900, tho balance, J!M37 i'i. 7d., representing interest on investments. Tho average rule of interest was■■£! 10s. Hid. per twit,,, os compared with ,£4 10s. CJd. last vear. Tim fund is in a very healthy condition, and has tho secretary's most careful attention, and investments are eccniod very promptly. Loan Operations, "By n resolution of the board, the chairman and executive were authorised to endeavour to (loat the .£50,000 balance of consolidated loan. Arrangements wore concluded locally, niul highly snlisfnclory terms, '.vere made. The loan was llontol nt -I per cent., no exchange or «miini>Mon bfili!,' involved, and tho money being available from February 2S, 11)12, in sums ranging from .ClOflO !n".£SOOO pit month, a? the 'board may rcquir«. "The rates of working expenditure to rorieir for tho rear 1910-1911 vraj 00.7. as

ngniiist- 59.7 per cent, 1309-10. and liU 11108-11. You will notice a slight inm-am in working expenditure, which can b:> explained. On fixed deposit iCTu.OOO Current account 20,(10(1 Balance «i' -teO.OOO loan raised ... -111,000 ofcU2,oo() "The board has authority to raise • £1,000,000 for the prosecution of further works that may he. necn.-.-ary In carry out in the near future, and when (he money market is approached tliu vn>llv improved posilion, as shown by the Ki-invtli of business, and particularly by the revaluation recommended last year, I hat ha< just taken place, no difficulty will be experienced in negotiating a" successful loan. 'I'llis should l>e a matter of gratification to members and the public generally.

Suburban Wharves. "The traffic at those wharves has been practically nil. and has been confined lo terry boats calling for passengers. It was assumed that when the I'elono wharf was constructed that a largo amount of coal at least would be landed there, but the assumption has proved fallacious, Works in Progress.

"Some of the principal works carried out or in course of construction by the board during: the past vcar are: Concrete sea wall extension tc Waterloo Quay; sen wall and earthworks at Mirnmnr; addition to Miramar wharf; culverts extension Waterloo Quay reclamation; dredging Falcon Shoal; rebuilding M' wool store; erecting cranes to M' wool store; special repairs to Queen's wharf; alteration to Wharf Office building; alterations to waiting room, 'X' store; baths and lockers at 'X" store; office accommodation at 'I' shed; concrete sea wall, dock entrance; T/S office, etc." Mr. Fletcher referred briefly to the proposed remission of charges in November, 1911, and their subsequeut rcimposition. "The result of the, year's operations," ho remarked, "was such that inNovember, 1911, I moved a resolution and the board agreed to, that the remissions be granted, which would in round figures amount to between .£6OOO or ,£7OOO. Before this could come into force the board was placed in the awkward position of having to grant without any choice, a very substantial increaso in wages, amounting practically to tho concessions proposed. My duty to the board became quite clear, and I immediately moved to rescind the resolution passed in November, which was agreed to." Works in Prospect. After expressing tho opinion that only necessary works snould bo proceeded with during the coming year, Mr. Fletcher enumerated the following as being in that category:— "Improvement of Present ferry wharf and construction of a new wharf running' parallel to it. Glasgow Wharf Extension. "This wharf should be extended by about 140 feet in order to provido berthage to the smaller vessels for the transhipment of cargo to tho Homo liners. It would pot only l>2 more convenient, but lessen the cost of handling to the board. Estimate, .£15,000. Cool Storage. "In accordance with the resolutions of tho board, it has been agreed to erect a cold storage- building fo: dairy produce. The site selected is adjacent to the Glasgow wharf, where produce, whether rail or seaborne, can bo conveniently and economically handled. Estimate, ilo,ooo. Jervois Quay Staging. "Breastwork connecting Jervois Quay with Taranaki Street wharf. Contract ■£7008. Concrete Wall at Dock. "Sea wall across entrance of-the dock site. Contract, .£5212. Patent Slip.

"Under the Wellington Harbour Board j Keclnination and Empowering Act, 11)08, tho Patent Slip Company may nt any tune, and shall, if required by the board, uffer September 30, 1912, erect and equip a slip for the special convenience of small vessels. I understand that sonic hardship and inconvenience has been caused to (he smaller vessels trading to the port, and I would recommend tho board ts notify the company at tho proper time to carry out tho conditions imposed on them bv the Act. . New Wharf. "Last year T stated that while recognising that extra wharf accommodation would be required very soon, I suggested that (he construction of a new wharf should bo held over for a time. I would noiv suggest that the engineer be instructed to prepare plan", and estimates for a new wharf, which will bo to the east of the King's wharf. The past year has at times placed the harbourmaster in a tight position to find tho necessary accommodation for vessels, On one occasion we had a tonnage of 80,000 berthed at the wharves in one day. Those who are intimate with shipping will agree that the work should bo gone on with as soon as possible. New Harbour Steamer, "The question of procuring a more up-to-date vessel for harbour work was mentioned last year, and although badly needed, I am not prepared to recommend this item this year, and it should stand over for a time.

Prospects and Retrospect, "In conclusion, let me say that the administration of the board, during the year under review, has again been marked by prudence and care, sound finance, witn duo regard to a development along the lines of progress, economy, and efficiency. "The year's operations have fceen most successful, and as far as one can judge, we hnvo every reason to believe, and look forward to, a steady advance and expansion of the port. For facilities, convenience, and equipment, there are few ports could compare with Wellington." Concluding, Mr. Fletcher placed on record his hearty appreciation of the services rendered by ■ the officers of tho board and its staff.

HAEBOUE WORKS. The Year's Programme. Appended to tho chairman's statement was the following table showing the estimated approximate cost of works authorised and in hand for tho year ending March 1, 1913:- £ Addition to Taranaki Street Wharf (Cont. No. 165), and erection of Jervois Quay breastwork 7,938 Supervision, etc 500 Tβ Aro reclamation wall (Contract No. 164) 5,212 Supervision 150 Waterloo Quay culverts' extension (Contract No. 162) 5,000 Erection of cheese store 10,000 Queen's Wharf renewal (part) 5,000 Wool jetty renewal 5,000 Proposed addition to Glasgow ■ Wharf 15,000 Waterloo Quay reclamation 5,000 Dredging 7,000 I?oad formation, AVatorloo Quay 1,000 ■Sowago drainage, Waterloo.Quay ... 3,000 Ferry AVharf additions and ofljees, existing wharf 2,075 Now Ferry Wharf 3,050 Supervision 250 Eoad formation at Miramar, and acquisition of land, say 4,000 Electric lighting plant* 10,000 89,235 (•Of this item perhaps .£2300 may bo spent (luring the year.) MEMBERS' APPRECIATION.

Mr. Al. Cohen said that the board was to be congratulated on receiving so excellent a report on the last year's working. Ono thing which struck him was that they hail made a profit of some XSOUO more than in the previous year, and J)7000 had been transferred to the special reserve fund. Ho did not think it hud ever been contemplated that the fund should ever be augmented in one year bv so large i> sum. At otu; fell swoo'p -170(111 hnd been added to this fund, which was merely n kind of savings bank. It sei'tuuil tu him. that possibly the action taken in establishing this fund was reacting in the wrong direction. Tho chairman, luid said that, although tho figures for last year showed a falling-off as compared with tho previous year, trade during the past four months had rapidly overhauled the figures for 'lie previous year, even if it hail not tilrftuly ilnne so. ' If Ilipy went on in tin , siimi! way. an early "reilurlion of charges f.lioulil not b.! , entirely hopeless. Mr. Cohen piidoi'.-i'il wlinl the chairman hud

said in congratulation of the board's officers. ' Mr. Tew.«lcy s-iid that the rotult of 1 ho puit jear'i uparatiuus showed that tho vrork oi tko board lid b«n

carried on with a closo attention to ik'tail and with a knowledge ('I tin' requirements of the harbour that had astonished him. The city of AVollitiK("ii was particularly fortunate in having; Mich a man sis Mi-, l-'lctclwr at Urn head i>t (hi' llarbjur Hoard ami in having (•xerulivc officers of Midi 'wide experience u> bark him up. l.'hairman and oflicors earned out their duties as if (hey were j-crvini; tlicir personal and private intt'rets. f\ Word For Petone.

Mr. M Kv.an endorsed the felicitalions uttered by previous speakers. On,, question thiil had bi-cn overlooked, lie .said, was that of ci thorough reorganisation of the board's stair. Jle hoped that this mailer would not he. lost, sight of . Touching the chairman's, reference to I'etonc Hnarl. u was now being used bv people bound for j):,y- s Bay. The boats) he had noticed, called there on Sunday-- lie resetted that the calling fee of 2s. did not bring any return worth speaking of Ui the Hoard. There hud also been an lncreaso in the number of boats calling at the wharf for sheep. Ho had no ilonbt that in a very short timo a large amount of coal would be taken in over tho wharf. JIo would then mako a. big appeal to the board to lay rails along tho wharf so that coal might be handled expeditionsjy. The report as a whole seemed to indicate that, though business round about Wellington was not very brisk, the country was pretty sound. Mr. Trevor also congratulated the chairman on tho excellent results attained under his painstaking superintendence and the officers on the capable and efficient way in which they had carried out their duties. It appeared to him that the chairman spent most of his timo on the wharf. He felt certain that, in the chairman, they had the. right man in tho right place. No other member would have been ablo to give the same time and attention to the board's affairs. Mr. Flelcher thanked members for the appreciative remarks passed in regard lo himself and tho officials. They had to recognise, he claimed, that the" Wellington Harbour Board was absolutely the most important local body in New Zealand. If there were no harbour here there would bo no city. Association with Hie board's- officers had made it quite, a pleasure for him to guide its destinies. As to what Mr. Cohen had said about the special reserve fund they were not at all likely to he in a position to transfer as much lo it next year or for some years to come. It was right that the board should have a "nest-egg." It might, on occasion, obviate tho necessity for increasing charges. It was one of the finest I lungs I hat tho board had been able to do to set aside a certain amount of money in this way to meet contingencies. As to what had been said about charges, if the position of the board were sufficiently strong a year hence, ho would Iμ one of tho- first to suggest a reduction. The board to-day, Mr. Fletcher declared, was m a stronger position than it had over been. Hβ was as anxious as Mr. M'Kwau to see the I'elono Wharf turned to use and saw no reason why coal for the whole Hutt Valley should not pass over it