SYDMEY'S LEGACY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 175, 17 March 1932, Page 6

SYDMEY'S LEGACY

MARIPGSA LEFT CITY RiCHER BY LARGE SUM SYDNEY, Saturday. The visit of the American tourist ship Mariposa leaves Sydney richon* by £10,000 or more. The estimate is based on £2,500 in port charges and disbursements for. stores, £1,000 advanced to the cr :w in wages, most of which was spent here, and at least £5,000 spent by the passengers. One passenger alone is known to. have spent £400 at Sydney stores, while another is reported to have footed a bill for £1,000 for entertainments and presents for friends. Not appearing on the ledger, however, is the goodwill toward Australia of the 240 tourists, who return to all parts of the United Stav.es with happy recollections of thiee days of s:ght-seeing in Sydney. The Mariposa's visit, viewed from every angle, is a striking illustration of the value of organised tourist traffic to Australia. Just how heavy is the hnpost on shipping is revealed by the Mariposa's . brief visit of two days. 14 hours. Her port expenses include pilotage 2nd removal, £54 10s, and other apprcximate amounts are harbour tonnage rate £75, Federal light dues £400, and State harbour and light du?s, £175, malcng a total bill of over £700. The Federal light dues are a quarterly payment for visiting ships, and the State harbour and light levy is for six months. For a considerable time, shipp'ng comnanie.s have been press.ng for relief from the lieavy charges. There is a feel'ng in travel circles that a reduction would stimul -te tourist traffic, inducing more comp vnies to include th's port in tbeir world qruise itineraries. imprisonment.