The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1902. HARBOUR BOARD REPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 16, 20 January 1902, Page 2

The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1902. HARBOUR BOARD REPORT.

The annual report of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, which appeared in our last issue, makes interesting reading. The interest in the harbour is of a twofold nature. First, because of the immense imporatnce of the harbour to the whole of Taranaki, and secondly because so large a proportion of the inhabitants of Taranaki are ratepayers of the harbour district. Although the latter is-probably' the chief cause of the keen interest taken, in tha affairs of the Board, it really sinks into insignificance beside the former. There is no doubt but that it will be, and is, generally admitted, that a port oapable of affording accommodation for the largest class of vessels, so that the imparts and exports of the district can be loaded atd shipped without tbe loss of time, danger, and expensa of transhipment, would be worth a great deal. It goes without saying, also, that Moturoa, where the breakwater is situated, is the only place in Taranaki where this can be accomplished, as no reasonable expenditure of money will bring it about at either Patea or Waitara. It follows, therefore, that if direct shipment is wirth having, the people of Taraoaki must look to Moturoa as tbe port of the future. One of the most satisfactory features of the report is that it shows that the opinion as to the possibility and estimate of cost of providing such accommodation, placed in the hands of the Board by its engineer, Mr Marchant, has been fully confirmed by | that eminent authority on marine en gineering, Mr Napier Bell. This plows the people of Taranaki in the position cf knowing exactly the cost of putting themselves in direct communication with the outside world, and of landing their growing output of dairj produce on the world's markets under the most favourable conditions. We have no doubt but that after settlers have had time to study all the details' of these reports, and the advantages of giving effect thereto, they will not be loog in urging the Harbour Board to give effect to them. A very satisfactory feature of the Board's leport is thß evidence given of a steadily growing trade. The number of vessels visiting the port is the largest in its history, and 30 more than for the previous year, j whilst the tonnage has increased from; 177,221 tons to 193,020 ; and the total ] exports and imports have increased by i 4174 tons. Tiie receipts from wharf-1 ege Jand dues have afso increased from j £6530 to £6938. Tbe item wharfage shows a decrease of £94 ; but as the charges were reduced one-third, orj from 3s a ton to 2s, it will be seen' tbat the position is very satisfactory. The rate struck last year was only ODethird of the original, namely |d instead #f Jd in the £, and each year as the area of settlement increases the burden will become lighter. The land fund also shows a slight decrease, but this fund varies somewhat, a land sale held just before or after the close of the financial year bsing responsible for this. As the Crown lands are all disposed of the receipts under th>s head will become more steady. The cost of dredging continues to be bevvy, although the cost per yard is very low. There is no doubt but that an effort should be made to secure a more powerful dredge. The Thomas King has done excellent work, but as tbe area of deep water extends it is doubtful if she is powerful enough to cope with it. This matter which requires the early and careful consideration of the Board. The necessity of | increasing thß wharf accommodation i« also shown to be very pressing and| with the larger class of steamers now visiting the port, together with their! more frequoat, vigils, if tiade is to go on must be dealt with at ooce. There ara a number of features we are unable to rc-fer to now but must reserve for a future occasion, but would remark in conclusion that, in spite of many drawbacks, circumstances are gradually forcing the port into the position of one of the important trade cutlets of I the calony.