DIRECT IMPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1920, Page 4

DIRECT IMPORTS.

- MAMARI FROM ENGLAND. TIIE SAVING TO IMPORTERS. The coming of larger vessel* to the port of New Plymouth, which lias been a feature during the past ycur, brings close to hand the advent of a regular direct steamer service from England to New Plymouth to 'bring cargo for importers iu T'aranaki, and possibly south of the province. The lirst vessel to bring merchandise direct, the Shaw, Savill liner Mamari, .".rrived at New Plymouth yesterday morning, and commercial men throughnut Taranaki confidently hope that this vessel will he the forerunner of a service period cully between Home ports and New Plymouth. The ship brings about 500 tons of merchandise and 1000 tons of basic slag. The Mamari arrived off New Plymouth at 0.30 a.m., and was berthed by the harbormaster, Captain Waller, about 10 o'clock, discharging operations being commenced during the morning. The Mamari has a registered tonnage of fi'2'23 and grosa 8114 tons. She is 475 ft. long and 50ft. in breadth, and wlieu berthed she was drawing 22ft. aft and 19ft. forward. Captain W. G. Summers, in command, has associated with him the following officers:—Chief, Mr. .T. W. Johnson; second, Mr. W. O. West; third, .Mi'. R. Thompson; chief engineer, Mr. J). McUowau; second, Mr. J. Nicholas; chief refrigerating engineer, Mr. A. Bill; second, Mr. A. Williams; cjhief steward, Mr. J. Russell; wireless operators, Messrs (J. S. Chatwick (senior) and W. Hayward (assistant). The Mamari will be at New Plymouth for about a week. Cargo which is to be taken comprises 20,000 freight carrases of moat, of which 10,000 will be from the Taranaki Farmers' works and. the balance from Wailara. The latter will he railed ori lightered, as the ship is not calling at the roadstead. Other consignments will be 000 casks of tallow and 2600 cases of preserved meats from various firms. The advantages to the business houses of being able to import direct are numerous. The saving of a coastal freight of about Siiis per ton on a cargo such as the Mamari brings is a big item, but the importer also views with importance the fact that" the avoidance of transhipment means quicker delivery of goods and less handling. Merchandise brought via the thief ports is often stored for some time awaiting the coastal service, and the goods have" to be carted from the overseas boats to stores, and then subjected to further handling later when put on to the smaller boats. This increases the danger of damage, besides being the source of miiny other evils, To mark the occasion of direct importation of general cargo from England a luncheon will be held at the Hart Hotel, Ne.w Plymouth, today, under the auspices of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. The guests will include Harbor Board members ?ind representatives of various Chambers of Commerce. During the morning the visitors will be motored to the port and taken by launch to Moturoa to view the progress of the harbor works. In the afternoon a number of delegates will wait on the shipping companies to confer regarding the establishment of a regular cargo service between London and New Plymouth.