WHARF CRANES FOR PORT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29082, 19 December 1959, Page 14

WHARF CRANES FOR PORT

Import Licence Delay Four wharf cranes ordered in November, 1957, by the Lyttelton Harbour Board have not been delivered because of refusal of import licences. Twelve quayside cranes will be needed when the eastern harbour extension is completed. The Harbour Board decided yesterday to press for the issue of a licence for the four cranes for which John Chambers and Sons, Ltd., was the successful tenderer, and to call for a report from its executive officers on cranes to handle cargo from ships berthing at the new harbour. The second motion was moved by Mr C. W. Tyler. The annual report of the retiring chairman <Mr W. P. Glue) said that 12 cranes would have to be ordered for the new harbour. Tenders for six cranes would have to be called next year.

The board, it was proposed, should press for the granting of import licences for four cranes for which tenders had been accepted in 1957.

“Is the Government trying to force us to get them made locally or going to grant us licences when funds are available?” asked Mr J. Brand.

The suggestion had been made that some arrangement should be arrived at under which English cranes were manufactured in New Zealand, replied the chairman (Mr W. P. Glue). “One harbour board has New Zealand-made cranes and they cannot use them,” said Mr Glue. “With one voice, the Government tells us that it will not allow us to import cranes, and with ' the other voice it tells us to get on with our development and the Government will be behind us 100 per cent.” The board, besides deciding to give all support to the tenderer in applications for the grant of a licence for the four cranes, asked that a report be presented to its February meeting on cranes required to be ordered next year for delivery when the eastern harbour works was in use.