CLEANING OF WHARVES

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 14

CLEANING OF WHARVES

New System Proposed He had been impressed by the cleanliness of the water around the wharves at Auckland and Wellington, said Mr L. G. Amos, the chairman, at the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday. “It is easy to notice the difference between Lyttelton and the other main ports, but Lyttelton is practically enclosed whereas the other ports have wide open spaces,” Mr W. B. Laing said. The traffic manager (Mr J. B. Graham) had been-given the function of supervising wharf cleanliness, the harbourmaster (Captain A. R. Champion) reported. Garbage was collected every day by a launch and a constant watch was kept, Captain Champion said. If any person was seen dumping garbage into the harbour he would prosecute the ship’s master, in accordance with the bylaws.

Wharf cleanliness appeared to be deteriorating, in spite of efforts to compel the organisations responsible to comply with the by-laws on cleaning the wharves after loading or dicharging, Mr Graham said. It had been necessary to call on the board’s works department to supply staff for cleaning and the cost had been debited to tire shipping company.

He suggested that the board consider recruiting a small labour force to clean the wharves, as was done in Auckland and Wellington. The cost would be recovered from the shipping companies on the basis of a vessel’s time alongside a berth. This was referred to the works committee.