FASTER FRUIT HANDLING

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29747, 14 February 1962, Page 7

FASTER FRUIT HANDLING

London Paper’s Comment

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. Feb. 13.

Drastic changes which the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board had made in its distribution methods had greatly contributed towards the increased rate of discharge and in some cases a curb on the ever-increasing handling costs, says Lloyd's List commenting on a “growing awareness’' in both New Zealand and Australia, of the need for better methods of packaging and handling, to keep down costs.

Discussing New Zealand's contribution towards a speedier discharge the publication says that “hitherto, although never to the degree reached in the Australian case-fruit trade, considerable sorting of shipments was often required. TTiis entailed the three-gang system of discharge. “Not only is this a costly way of working, but in the event of restricted shed spaces, the speed of discharging a vessel can be slowed down. Last year the number of sortings was drastically reduced, with a consequent greatly increased rate of work. Indeed, in many instances the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board authorised bulk delivery. “By this method, very high outputs were reached and perhaps the Australian fruit trade has taken note of this. Road transport was placed directly on the quay and fruit was discharged from the vessel and loaded on to vehicles by one gang. This ideal was not always obtained because of access to berths and the amount of quay space afforded on some berths. “This is a port authority problem that needs tackling Often other cargoes were working from vessels simultaneously with fruit. Lorries could not be placed directly under the hatch, and as a result an additional gang had to be engaged with each ship gang, in order to deliver fruit to the vehicles Despite the shortcomings of some of the berths, the sys tern has been a success an<* is one to be highly com mended,” the journal said Rain Halts Work.— lntel mittent rain showers caused delays to cargo work on the Lyttelton waterfront yesterday. Although there were no prolonged delays, the weather was sufficient to cancel the sailings of several coastal vessels.