NOT ENOUGH TRUCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 60, 12 March 1926, Page 3

NOT ENOUGH TRUCKS.

EFFECT ON WATEEPROKT. FIRMS COMPLAIN OF SHORTAGE. A representative of the Auckland "Star," ■ who inquired into a reported shortage of trucks on the waterfront, was informed by representatives of firms engaged in unloading vessels that an adequate supply of trucks was most difficult to obtain. In some cases it was hard to obtain an expression of opinion from those directly interested, because to all intents and purposes the Railway Department holds them, in the hollow of its extensive hand as far as trucks are concerned, and they, were disinclined to express their opinions for publication. The Department, on the other hand, states that it has received no complaints. ' "The position is chronic, and rapidlybecoming worse," was the emphatic observation of one gentleman who was approached in connection with the position. A representative of a firm engaged in unloading- rock phosphate stated that they commenced- to unload 1200 tons last Friday. They approached the Railway Department for a first instalment of trucks for 500 tons, but they could only manage to get a few trucks at a time, and it was not till yesterday that this firm got the trucks it had asked for. It was also stated that there appeared to be 50 or 60 trucks in the railway yard with seats in them, apparently in reserve for the Ngaruawahia Regatta on March 17. On the wharf itself the reporter saw a row of trucks, which are termed in waterfront parlance "cripples." These, the reporter's informant stated, had been pressed into service, and he further observed that the Department had advised those enquired in unloading cai"go that all-wood L wagons were not capable of carrying then- full capacity of from eight to ten tons, and the Department would only allow them to put six tons in them on account of their condition. "If we could get the trucks, we could put on four gangs, but. with the present supply Tie can keep only one gang going." was one remark made to the reporterThe Department's Side. "The supply of trucks may be fairly tight," said the Railway Traffic Manager when the matter was referred to him. "but we hope to keep up the supply. We don't anticipate any shortage and have received no complaints. The statement with reference to there beinc 50 or 00 trucks in the yards with seats in them is incorrect. There are only ten, and they are being fitted with seats in preparation for the Kganiawahia Regatta. "The demands on our rolling stock at this time of the year are very considerable," he continued, "and particularly so at present with the large amount of shipping in port, in addition, to the requirements of the mines and a general demand. Every effort is being made to keep up the supply by getting trucks from other districts, but it is an exceptional demand that we have to meet at the present juncture." i-■ - - ■