SUGGESTION'S FROM SHIPPING COMPANIES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14970, 18 May 1914, Page 3

SUGGESTION'S FROM SHIPPING COMPANIES.

I A deputation representing the principal shipping companies using Lvttel-t-oil as a port waited on Mr Hiley. It consisted of Messrs S. K. Sleigh, A. Kayo, i. -V. 130->w_il. J. Luke, j U". Garrard, T. A. Watkins, Captain Hutchinson, and Captain McDougall. Mr Slefgh wa& the first speaker. He called attention to tho shortage of trucks, which, he said, was intensified by the practice of the Department of withdrawing trucks for use in the passenger service at- holiday times. Ho also referred to the lack of facilities on the .wharves for the rapid haulageof trucks the shortage of shed accommodation ac Christchurch, and the delays caused by grain being sampled or. tho wharves, at Lyttelton. Ho also suggested that instead oi tho whole expense of overtimo wages being borne by the shipping companies, they should .bo called upon to pay only tho differonce between tho overtime rate and the ordinary rate. He complained that the receipts given for cargo at Lyttelton by tho Railway Department wero qualified receipts, and ho asked that a clean receipt should be given. IHo asked for better crane equipment i fit Lvttelton to facilitate tho ouicker ] discharge of ships, and he also suggest- I ed the "installation of hydraulic cap-;, stans, dtinK-.WelUngtori.--'afc._an i -instenoo-j of a port which was better equipped iv these respects, _..',. Captain McDougall emphasised .the reces-:itv for the issue of'clean receipts. Mr Garrard referred to _ac quostif. ot" grain being sampled on tho wharf: This practice, he" said, should bo dropped, as if frequently that after sampling, a truck had to be removed from The wharf, thus causing unnecessary handling and delay. Mr in renly. said he had assured a ~revious deputation that tho difficulty in connexion with the shortage of trucks was recoguiscd. and was having the Department's' serious consideration. Tlie equipment of cranes and capstans, however, was a -matter . for the Harbour Board, and the rlepii- ■ tation should make representations to ; fiat body. The lack of .-"ciiin-.-.- . dation would bo dealt with when the ; -«w station aud -nrd were provided n Christchurch. Continuing. Bo said that the present yard at Lyttelton was quite inadequate to tho pre-sen. rcauirements of tho port, and the new scheme would provide for a much enlarged and improved yard. This, and the duplication of the tunnel, should to a larfr. extent meet thepoints raised by the deputation. The question of receipts for cargo wn.s r<\ cervine attention, and the ma.tor. oi overtime payment would be also looked into. j