Bigger Dock Wanted By Engineering Firm

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32030, 3 July 1969, Page 10

Bigger Dock Wanted By Engineering Firm

A larger dock at Lyttelton was proposed to the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday by Sinclair, Melbourne and Company, Ltd, which said the present graving dock could become redundant with the building of a slipway by the Nelson Harbour Board and the changing pattern of coastal shipping. The present dock would not accommodate even the Hawea, the company said. ’ What was needed was a dock to take overseas ships. There was one dock in Auckland, a floating dock and two patent slips in Wellington and two dry docks in Port Chalmers.' They were inadequate for the types of vessels trading to New Zealand. Auckland had a naval dockyard and further expansion in the area would create too heavy a concentration of shipping, the company said. Shipowners were conscious of the efficiency of New Zealand labour, particularly at Lyttelton, arid said it was more than competitive with the rest of the world.

Canterbury’s industrial potential could be used to greater advantage and export earnings would be helped by a saving of expenditure of overseas funds.

The board referred the letter to the works committee. Australian Trade.—On its second visit to Lyttelton the trans-Tasman ship Maheno had discharged 869 tons of cargo and loaded 747, Mr F. I. Sutton, the chairman, said. This was a satisfactory tonnage for the first round-trip. On those figures it could be expected that there would be a doubling of the cargo on the run. This proved that if a service was given the business would follow, Mr Sutton said. Bentonite.—There had been inquiries about another 5000

tons of bentonite being shipped overseas, Mr G. Burns said. There had also been inquiries about the storage of 10,000 tons of cereals, not wheat, which would be going through the port This was new trade and it was trade that the board must encourage, although the finding of space was not easy. Ties.—The board agreed that there should be a tie for members and senior executives. It agreed to buy six dozen. It also agreed that the house flag should be flown on the Port Building on all Working days. Lifeboat Unloading.—When the new Sumner lifeboat arrives in Lyttelton the board will unload it by using the craneship Rapaki without charge and will waive other port charges, saving the Lifeboat Institution about $lOO. Cargo Increase.—An increase of 55,781 tons in the cargo bandied for the first nine months of the financial year was reported. Mr Sutton said it was pleasing to see that so far this year 66 ships had used Cashin Quay compared with 44 at the same time last year. There had been an increase of 32,000 tons of cargo across Cashin Quay, said Mr G. Burns. This showed that the quay was a success and this should be known by the' public.

Labour Youth Group.—The Christchurch West Labour Youth Group was formed recently and would include people from the Riccartan, St Albans, Papanui and Wigram electorates, said the secretary (Mr D. L. Duncan). Officers elected: president, Mr M. J. French; vicepresident, Miss G. M. Gresson; secretary, Mr D. L. Duncan; committee. Misses M. P. Tattaraki, J. E. Giilmore, Mr B. C. Everest.