CONFUSION OVER SHIP’S CARGO

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27750, 30 August 1955, Page 6

CONFUSION OVER SHIP’S CARGO

CONSIGNMENTS NOT YET CLEARED

OUTCOME OF BRITISH DOCK STRIKE

The Port Nelson, the first ship to leave England after the dock strike ended there almost two months ago, discharged her cargo at Lyttelton two weeks ago, but much of the cargo is still in storage, because many exporters. who made last-minute changes of ships for their consignments, have not sent their documents to importers in New Zealand. On the Port Nelson’s manifest were 1020 bills of lading, and 497 had not arrived, said Mr C. L. Hay, assistanttraffic manager of the Railways Department at Christchurch, yesterday. He added that 571 waggons were used to discharge the cargo, and yesterday 157 waggons were still in the yards unable to unload because of the congestion in the shed.

“It is possible that cargo meant for other ships was loaded on the Port Nelson,” said Mr Hay. Its 5000 tons of space was booked within three hours of notification that it was available. “Part of the cargo of the Essex, which is due to arrive next Monday, is now lying on the shed floor.” Generally a ship’s manifest arrived weeks before the ship. The manifest for the Continental part of the Port Nelson’s cargo arrived a week after she berthed. It would be about a month before all of the cargo was delivered. Consignees should make other arrangements for uplifting their cargo, said Mr R. L. Reid, managing director qf Kinsey and Company, Ltd., agents for the Port Nelson. Yesterday there had been an ipiprovement in the flow ef bills of lading into his office, but there were still many to come.