LONDON’S NEW DOCK

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1930, Page 7

LONDON’S NEW DOCK

CENTURY-OLD “TIMBER PONDS” CONVERTED.

London’s new timber clock in tlio Surrey Commercial Group Inis fustIkiimi brought into coiniuission. Tlie first ships to use it were the s.s. “Dea” and s.s. “Neath Abbey” with cargoes of softwood from Kara Sea 'ports. The Lavender Dock is the latest addition to the Surrey Commercial Docks system and has been developed from two ponds known as the Lavender and Acorn Ponds, in which for more than a century Oregon pine- and other imported timbers which season when immersed in water have been stored.

The new quay is long enough to accommodate seven average-sized timber vessels. Alongside the discharging berths are sheds of the latest design capable of storing some 30,500 tons of timber. Altogether the Port of London Authority now have sheds covering 70 acres for the storage of timber at the Surrey Commercial Docks and a further 69 acres for open storage. Over 2.000,000 tons of timber are brought into the Port of London annually, nearly a quarter of the total imported into the United Kingdom. This additional dock brings the total water area of the docks owned by the London Authority up to 723 acres and th" total length of quays to 45 miles. At the Surrey Commercial Docks.

fhe Surrev Commercial Docks is tho London and Provincial timber trade centre, but in addition n great deal of Umpire produce is handled there. A seven-storeyed refrigerated warehouse i s provided to house perishable produce. and In this connection it is interestine to note that the Port Authority’s Public Delations Officer is at present in Canada with the object of fostering trade with that Dominion. 4 factor which has for some time past materially affected the activities of the port is the steady expansion of the London Market consequent upon the greater industrialisation during recent years of the South of England and the environs of London. Despite the World trade depression the South of England has remained prosperous and is least affected by unemployment. Thus the larger population lias been able to sustain the strength for which the London Market has for so long a reputation.