SHOALING ON GREY BAR

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 5

SHOALING ON GREY BAR

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON SHIPPING From Our Own Reporter

GREYMOUTH, May 7. Because of the recent long spell of fine weather on the West Coast the condition of the Grey bar has gradually deteriorated, with the result that to-day a further reduction was announced in the amount of cargo to be lifted by vessels using the port. The larger types of vessels must now depart under-loaded by about 350 tons. This means that in a little more than eight trips a whole cargo would be lost.

The absence of a fresh in the Grey river during the last three months had brought about the ‘shoaling, said the harbourmaster (Captain H. Moar), who added that he saw no likelihood of immediate relief. A lot more rain than had fallen recently would be needed to clear the bar, and the present showery weather was not likely to cause a fresh, he said.

Referring to the rough seas on the bar to-day, Captain Moar said that this might make the position worse The river, he added, was generally free from shoaling, practically the only spot affected being between the two berthages. Heavy showers fell throughout the province during the night and to-day. but the rainfall recorded up to 9 o’clock at Greymouth this morning was only 99 points, while more than half an inch has since been ecorded during the day. The seas were too rough to-day to permit the berthing of the Piri. which arrived in the roadstead last evening from Melbourne with a shipment df explosives.