Influx Of Cargo Causes Heavy Waggon Demand

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 3

Influx Of Cargo Causes Heavy Waggon Demand

The present demand for railway waggons was unprecedented for this time of the year, the district traffic manager of railways in Christchurch (Mr M. R-. Leineweber) said yesterday. The department has 1200 waggons. loaded with cargo from ships waiting to be unloaded into goods sheds, and men are working overtime on this job. Waggons for the West Coast are scarce and only urgent, perishable, and shipping goods are being distributed from Christchurch. With the current influx of shipping and projected arrivals there was little likelihood of relief for some days, said Mr Leineweber. All the department could do was to make the distribution of goods as equitable as possible. Waggons were being unloaded at the rate of 150 to 200 a day, but were being reloaded just as fast, said Mr Leineweber. The department has 3000 waggons for general use. At Lyttelton yesterday the Koranui. Port Phillip, and

Holmbrae were unable to continue discharging after tea because of the shortage of waggons, and the Wairimu was on limited unloading. The Waimea was able to continue discharging because she was to sail later the same evening. Shipping has been affected on five evenings recently. An additional 80 waggons would have been required to work normal overtime hours.