The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1901. THE PORT OF PATEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 54, 23 March 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1901. THE PORT OF PATEA.

As many of our readers are interested in the port of Patea, which does goed service to Southern Taranaki, they will read with interest the annual report of the Chairman of the Harbour Board, which gives a very business-like statement of the progress made, and the business done during the past yrar. At the annual meeting of the Board on Wednesday, Mr. J. A. McKanna, Chairman of the Board, eaid:—"Following the usual annual custom, I beg to submit the chairman's rtport. The general financial position being before you, I have little to add in that respect, and therefore precent the usual statistical information with regard to the progress of trade, and than generally comment upon works effected, and suggestions fer the future. ! 1899 190Q £ £ Wharfage .. 1499 1658 Dumping dues .. 345 390 Tonnage dues .. 269 292 Boats in and out.. 146 166 Exports showed a considerable decrease, whilst the imports were the largest in I the history of the port, viz :

1899 1900 J Coals .. .. 450 1091 Ordinary.. .. 6850 7790 The sew wharf and accessories have been completed during the year and prove a great convenience, three steamers being able to load at the same time, and the accommodation in all respects appears to be all that will be required for gome time to come. The new guid< pier js slso eqntinuing to give satisfactory results. "J?he heavy demand made by the Government for necessary repairs to this wharf is still under review, and t,l;e Government is being opproiched with ..the view of inducing the Railway Dopartment to bear ft portion of the cost, en the. ground that 500 feet of wharf is not utilised or required for steamer accommodation, but ifi maijjly utilised for shuoting purposes. I intend ptrsopally interviewing the Miniptflr on this subject, arid have little doubt that the Department, will mret the JV»rd in a fair spirit. As soon as tho Board hag had the propo'ed interview with the engineer, Mr, Reynolds, on the question of improvements to the riyep, and tbe most desirable means of effecting further work si,t the Heads, I shall be prepared to suggest a means to efh cfcjthese objects for your consideration, as I consider it a matter of the greatest importance that the 380ai;4 should devote its main energies is ,th? future to this end This now brings jne to the questioa of tho rapewa|l of ,the lean pf J 13,000 falling due in August, 19Q2 ; and the obtaining of further money for Htuds improvements. It seems to me that the surplus ordinary [revenue is sufficient to provide some .£BOO or .£9OO pgr annum for further borrowing, and if we caU arrange for a long term loan of £IB,OOO to .■620,000, we shall be within our means, if we can obtain the money (iaclud/ng linking fund) at 5 per cent or per ceat., but improvement of the entrance and river generally, will naturally mean increased revenue by increase in trade, and tfcat no question (even if thought advisable) of a special rate need be considered at all. I trust that my efforts in the above direction will have tbe hearty support of all the members. It is wellJsnown that a considerable quantity of £Qqdj? passes our port in consequence of i the jow L jst«g paling, elsewhere,^and

it would be advisable far the Board to consider the qusstior «f lowering wharfage on these goods. I feel !-<!> o thit the Board will support me in ray earnes* endeavour to advance the interest of the port. lam ve.y pleased to have this opportunity of congratulating thu Board on its excellent, staff. I trust to be able to lay before the members at ,i vary early date matters of vital importance to the Board and surrounding districts. At the sumo meeting tho harbourmaster reported— The channul over the biiv is at precsnt straight out from the end of the broakwater and fairly good and beat ing south by west from flagsf&ff by compass, with about lift at high water springs and' about 7ft Gin at high water neaps. Tho entrance is very good at present, and about 160fs wide between the pier heads and gradually -narrowing up ti aV.oufc 100 ft abreast of the beacons. The lower ieu-h continues the Earns as when I laet|reporced, with channel,on west side of the river, and from 3ft to 7ft at low water springs; and from tho viaduct to witbin four chains of tho Board's wbarf from sft to Bft at low water springs. The r o have been 12 arrivals and 12 departures since my last report.