CARGO OF WET LINSEED

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 6

CARGO OF WET LINSEED

UNLOADING WORK AT WELLINGTON

DANGER OF FIRE IN SHIP’S HOLD

(New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 14. A smoking cargo of linseed was disn?£F ged m drenching rain from the 8000-ton ship City of Calcutta at Wellington to-day. Firemen stood by in case the linseed, overheated by spontaneous combustion, took fire.

A small portion of the damaged linseed has new been taken out, but about 400 tons remains in the heated hold. Almost 100 watersiders will continue to work throughout to-morrow and will Continue on Sunday if necessary. The watersiders are receiving 15s an hour.

The question of payment was first discussed by the Port Committee, but was taken before the Waterfront Industry Commission, which 'fixed the rate of 15s.

The gates of the Taranaki street wharf, where the ship is lying, were left open this evening in case fire engines were called to the ship. The linseed was destined for Dunedin, to be crushed for linseed oil. It was loaded in Montreal as p'hrt of a shipment of 800 tons and became wet on the voyage. Waves of heated air poured out of the shin’s hold to-day as watersiders sweated among the smoking, charred bags.