STEAMER-EXPRESS WHARF

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 13

STEAMER-EXPRESS WHARF

RESUMPTION OF USE NEXT WEEK The improved steamer-express wharf (No. 2) at Lyttelton will probably be brought back into service about the middle of next week — earlier than planned—so that the berth used lately at No. 3 wharf may be open for other vessels. This move has been agreed on to make accommodation - • available for shipping diverted from No. 7 wharf, which has been declared unsafe. Railways Department engineers said yesterday that the No. 2 wharf was ready for trains, although the renovations had not yet been completed. The main work remaining was the construction of an elevated platform, 1/ feet high, which would run from the passenger platform on the wharf, over the double set of rails, to the ship’s side, thus giving access when the moveable ship’s gangways were not in position. There will be a railway and steamer-express ticket office under the elevated walkway. This project is expected to be finished about the end of January. The emergency arrangements at the port should not seriously affect the unloading of . fruit cargoes, according to the Christchurch manager of the Union Steam Ship Company (Mr L. J. Warren). He said that No. 7 wharf had been convenient for this purpose because of the parking space available for lorries taking direct deliveries. Other suitable berths should be available. A big shipment of oranges is expected at Lyttelton on December 22 and another of bananas on December 28.