OTTAWA VALLEY BERTHS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25903, 8 September 1949, Page 4

OTTAWA VALLEY BERTHS

POLICE WATCH ON SHIP LONG WAIT AT ANCHOR (New Zealand Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Sent. 7. Acting on directions from the national executive of their uninn, Auckland watersiders are expected to begin discharging cargo from the Canadian freighter, Ottawa Valley, at the Export Wharf, after a short stoo-work meeting to-morrow morning. The Ottawa Valley was berthed with assistance from the employees of the Auckland Harbour Board at 4.30 this afternoon. Her move from the stream after a wait of 57 days marked the end of the Canadian seamen's dispute at the port of Auckland. The central Committee of the Auckland waterfront unions this vfternoon endorsed the recommendation of the Federation of Labour to lift the ban on the Ottawa Valley at Auckland, and the Tridale at Wellington. The Ottawa Valley was assisted by two Harbour Board tugs to berth at the Eitport Wharf. At the berth a party of police and detectives was on duty to ensure the safe movement of the ship and a check was made among visitors to the wharf.

A few minutes before 4.30 p.m.. the freighter, holder of Auckland’s record for a ship at anchor with cargo, was secure at the wharf. The silence was broken by a triumphant series of blasts from her siren, described by her master (Captain G. L. Reay) as “a general sailor's salute. Cock-a-Doodle-Doo.” The gangway was lowered and shipping and port officials boarded the ship to welcome her at the end of her long wait at anchor. Crew Behaved Well

“When a shipmaster reaches port all he has left is to ensure that his cargo is brought alongside the wharf.” said Captain Reay afterwards. “As last our cargo of newsprint, typewriters, adding machines, and liquor is ready to come ashore. The crew of the Ottawa Valley has behaved very well at anchor. None has been prosecuted, and the cnly trouble has come from interference from other ships’ crews. We are all happy that the wait is over.’’ In the meantime a security watch is being maintained in the engine-room and on the deck of the ship because of the possible attitude of other Canadian seamen. Captain Reay said that until conditions returned to normal no admittance would be permitted to visitors unless their calls were of a business nature. Policemen will for the present remain on duty 24 hours a day at the wharf gates and alongside the ship. “I am an anti-Communist and I stress that,” Captain Reay said to-day. “You will never run a ship with a Communist crew.”