HANDLING OF CARGO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 105, 2 May 1908, Page 9 (Supplement)

HANDLING OF CARGO.

I ' WELLIN-TON EXPERIENCES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. ■ ' The statement made by Mr. Kneen at the Auckland Harbour Board meeting regarding the Northern port having the reputation of holding the best record for unloading is smiled at by local officials. It is stated that it is often the case that a steamer from Melbourne has over 1000 tons of cargo put out and 500 tons 1 loaded here in one day, and that this is accomplished with ease, through the Board's cranes working in conjunction Trith the ships gear, achieving an expedi-1 tion that would be impossible without the aid of the Board's gear, and that ■K-ould excite the admiration of Auck- \ jgjui stevedores. So far from the local authorities deeming the port over-craned, an order has been placed with Andergoiis, Limited, for twelve two-ton cranes for the King's wharf now in process of erection. As to whether the cranes are used often, the Harbour Board's balancesheet shows that the sum of £ 3500 was earned by the direct hire of cranes durjf jn<r the year ended December 31, which 1 does not nearly account for the use i jn_.de of them by the Board itself, and of Trhieh no cost account is kept, or the savins the men what would be dreadfully arduous work.