LYTTELTON BUSY

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 20

LYTTELTON BUSY

Labour, Berths

Short

Lyttelton is a busy port at present. In addition to the inter-colonial freighter, Waimea, and the coaster, Tawanui, which were both idle because of labour shortage, the Norwegian motor vessel, Vingrorn. with bulk phosphate was also unable to discharge and utilised her idle time by refuelling at the oil berth. A fourth, the Danish motor vessel, Hartwig Maersk, which arrived off the heads on Monday evening, berthed last evening.

There is little likelihood at the moment of an easing of the congestion 'and Cashin Quay will not be worked again before tomorrow, when the Union Company’s intercolonial freighter, Kaitoke, is due with 2378 tons of New South Wales cargo, including steel and galvanised iron for discharge. Yesterday morning at 7 a.m there was a shortage of 23 gangs (330 men). Even had these men been available, it would still have been impracticable to have worked all ships in the inner harbour because this would normally cause congestion of traffic gear and labour and hinder general clearance besides heavily taxing rail waggons at the same time.

Until Cashin Quay is worked fully, this problem will always exist in the inner harbour, where working space is limited.