LOCAL SHIPPING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4789, 15 December 1924, Page 2

LOCAL SHIPPING.

INCREASE OF DAIRY PRODUCE. EXTRA BARGE PROVIDED. Probably few people realise the amount of cargo that is being shipped from the Puke wharf to Auckland, and vice versa. Some little time ago the Tatua Dairy Co. at Tatuanui decided to forward its this season's output by steamer to Auckland, and from this source alonei a large quantity of dairy produce has been handled, in addition to cargoes of butter from the Te Aroha Dairy Co. and dried milk from the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co.’s Waitoa factory. The practice of these concerns is to load- the produce on to huge barges at Te Aroha, which are then towed down the Waihou River to the Puke, Paeroa, and transhipped into the steamer Taniwha for Auckland. It is interesting to 1 ecord that the outward cargo of the Taniwha on two trips last week comprised 2000 boxes of butter, 600 crates of cheese, 30 eases of dried milk, 150 bales of flax. 50 sacks of hides, and 30 casks of tallow. .On Friday evening, again, the .Taniwha left Paerpa practically a full ship. The Northern Steam Ship Co. is proving itself equal to the demands that have been made for cargo space, and only last week a new barge was put into commission on the Te ArohaPaeroa service. No time is lost in handling the cargo during transhipment, and every endeavour is made to ensure the delivery of the dairy produce In Auckland in good condition. • Owing to the steady silting of the Waihou River at the bend in the meander near the Puke bridge Captain J. Freeman, of the Taniwha, is experiencing some difficulty in negotiating the channel, especially when his vessel is heavily loaded and is drawing nearly seven feet of water. This particular spot has become a menace to shipping going to the Puke wharf, but this difficulty will be obviated as soon as the Nganina whraf is available for shipping accommodation.

From reports received the exports from tne Hauraki Plains on the Piako River side are steadily increasing, and dairy produce and flax is being shipped in large quantities.