The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1901. THE NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 7, 19 April 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1901. THE NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

Thb whirligig of time brings abeut many and great changes, but few greater or mere wonderful changes bare taken place than bas occurred in eonn«ctien with the New Plymouth harbour. For yearg the people of the town of New Plymouth, with a foresight which waa most creditable to them, carried on the construction of the harbour work under extraordinary diffioalties. On more than one occasion townspeople personally found the funds for immediate requirements. Often it seemed as if the abandonment of the work wap only a question of time. Yet in spite of all tye pert was kept open, and although, compared with ether parts, tariff* were high the trade steadily increased. No doubt the Union 8,8. Company is also entitled to a good deal of credit. In spite ot discouragement and eren heavy losses they kept on a superior class ef steamer*, and the skill and regularity with which they were worked helped very materially to build up the large trade which the port now enjoys, s?he phenominal growth ef the dairy industry has, however, been the main oauao of the present prosperous condition of affairs, and hence it comes abont that the harhenr, which the country settler has hitherto always looked upon as the bug bare and bane of hie existence, is new proving hie best friend. As eoou as the output of the dairy factories began to assume largo dimensions it was found that notwithstanding the care and industry of the farmer and factory manager, which enabled a thoroughly firstrdass article to leave tho factory, it often reached tho side of the vessel which was to carry it Home in a condition quite unfit for export. This difficulty was got over as far as Taranaki was concerned, by the erection of the freezing works at Moturoa and the appointment of a Government grader. This action brought about a marked change in the possition of the karboar. From being merely an importing pert competieg with Waitaia and Pat»a for a ehare of the few thousand tons of imports— a factor in cheapening tho cost to tho storekeepers—an enormous export trade has sprung up, and the quick despatch of dairy produce has become a marked feature of the pott. It is admitted on all hands, and has been mere than once referred to, that no dairy produce reaches Home in a cleaner and satisfactory condition than that yhich, is shipped at New Plymouth. Fortunately the Harbour Board and the shipping companies rose to the occasion, and the increased d»pth of water, the improved facilities for sbipmnnt, the size, number, and the fnquency <f the visits of steamers trading to the port, have enabled the increased trade to bo done smoothly and regularly. The most gratifying feature is tho fact that the , increased facilities and increased accommodation has all been provided without ' any.calj upon the ratepayers; iodeed the rate has been steadily decreased. ' Even the sand-pump, about; whioh so! 1 such has been heard, costing some*!

.£3OOO has been provided out of the increased revenue of the port. In spite of statements to the contrary, wo are informed by both the Engineer (Mr Marc'nant) and the Harbourmaster (Captain Hood), that very extensive additions to the present facilities can bo provided out of the steadily growing revenue if the sama is economically administered. Mr. Marchant says that wbita the immediate expenditure ©f a gum of from £IOO,OOO to £140,000 would enable direct steamers to bs brought alongside the nhatf the same end can ba attained in 1 a few years if a portion of the revenue is applied continuously to the work. It is gratifying to notice that a great deal of the prejudice which formerly ! existed regarding the harbour is dis- . appearing and it is mostly kept alive by the fear of being drawn into another big loan. The more intelligent farmers | now realises that the harbour is proving of great value to the country .settlers as well as to the townsman. Some time back the Harbour Board issued a very excellent) production in the shape of a short history of the harbour illustrated with some admirable views of the harbsur and shipping. This pamphlet) has been very favourably commented upon and we should have liked to have seen one placed in the hands of' every ratepayer so that they could see the result of the expenditure of the money for which they are rated. There is no doubt a good deal of tbe prejudice against the harbour is due to ignorance of the large amount of shipping frequenting the port and the consequent benefit to the district. When it 1b considered that each vessel pays harbour dues and purchases considerable quantity of provisions and water the continual coming and going of these vessels must help towards the general prosperity of tlia district. Looking through our files wo were surprised at the number and siz» of the vessels visiting the port, As tbe information is of interest we give the names and tonnage of the vessels trading to this port during the past twelve months aa follows;

The following vessels are u»der 500 tflBS :-Ga[rlocb, Gleaelg, Kiniori, Oreti, Rimu, Mea, Gsptio, Jane Douglas.

With such a number of steamers it Is evident the trade of the Tori; is worth looking after. What appe<M t« be wanted cow is for the Harbour Board to set up a tariff committee to consider how to draw trade by a judicious re-adjustment of freights and charges. Toe result of reducing rates on the railway is proof ef the increased business that is attracted by a judicious reduction of charges. Such a committee could doubtless, by working with the Railway Department and shipping companies do a great deal to iouprov? the trade of the port and placa both importers and exporters in a more favourable position than at present. Attention has been called lately to the high rates prevailing at New Plymouth and although it might be said that the security is greater, we believe there are many ways in which charges may be re-adjusted to the benefit of all concerned.

VE8SKI-S. Tonmagk Cerinna ,, .. 1279 Fiora .. 1273 Mapourika .. Rotoiti .. 1203 .. 1159 Upolu Kini .. 1H1 .. 1122 Kotuku .. 1054 Petone .. 1020 Takapuoa .. R otorua 930 926 Ohau 850 Jantt Niooll 779 Brunner 750 Ngapshi Wsieui 690 684 Omapere Herald 601 573 Dingadee .. Mo'apu Mahiuapua.. .. 560 530 500