SHED CLEARANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 117, 20 May 1942, Page 4

SHED CLEARANCE

DIFFICULTIES ON THE WHARVES

Factors that contributed to existing difficulties in respect of wharf shed clearance were outlined at last night's meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, when the need for more rapid

clearance was emphasised,

Reporting on behalf of the transport committee on the storage of outward cargo, Mr. W. I. J. Blyth said that for many years past the Wellington Harbour Board had, whenever they had had space available, allowed coastal shipping companies to receive cargo in the sheds up to two days prior to the arrival and sailing of ships. There was no bylaw governing these arrangements, but the board had allowed this practice to operate to suit the convenience of both shipper and shipowner. It had been found practically impossible to continue allowing this privilege owing to the great influx of cargo coming to Wellington for outports, which debarred the use of any shed accommodation north of the Ferry Wharf lor receiving cargo.

"It has been the unfortunate experience of some merchants to have sent ihe same cargo down to the Harbour Board shed, on the instructions of the shipping company, as many as three times vnd on arrival at the wharf have found that no pre-sailing space has been available," said Mr. Blyth. "These merchants have been very indignant at this treatment, and rightly so, but it must be remembered that the Harbour Board does not order the cargo down. Instances could be quoted where merchants have sent loads in from Miramar and Petone; in such cases the board does endeavour to find available space to save the cost of return haulage. MATTER DISCUSSED. "In company with Mr. Bardsley and Captain Holm, we discussed this matter with Captain Congdon, -chief wharfinger, who was very sympathetic and assured us that he would do all in his power to overcome these problems; but a* the same time he pointed out that the difficulties were sometimes accentuated by the shipping companies themselves, and that only by closer co-operation between merchant, shipping company, and the Wellington Harbour Board, and not the least of which the return of Saturday morning work by the merchants, can we hope to get back to anything like normal."

The chairman (Mr. A. L. Wall) said that the sheds had to be cleared, and if the merchants did not clear them they would have to be cleared by the Harbour Board. One of the reasons for congestion was the 40-hour week and the refusal of some warehouses to receive goods after 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon, and also the delay in receiving shipping documents.