SHIPPING NEWS More cargo handled at Lyttelton

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 9

SHIPPING NEWS More cargo handled at Lyttelton

-. Carte handled at Lyttelton this year exceeds that handled during the corresponding period of last year, according to the report to the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday of the general manager (Mr J. A. McPhail). Mr McPhail said that imports (mounted to 1,425,988 tons durpg the first eight months of Ke year—an increase of 123,943 sns on the corresponding period pat year. Exports, at 1,910,188 pus, increased 70,541 tons. * * # *

No seafarers visiting Lyttelton ; tare reported seeing a mermaid. 1 t Harewood correspondent, 1 M. 8., mentions them. “You ' pay have some knowledge of the fcocoa de mer,’ first sighted in Jie Indian Ocean by early navL jators,” he says. A form of soconut, it was believed that it grew in pairs beneath the sea. Seating to the surface when ftpe. It was 200 years before Its ■tigin was discovered on the Hand of Praslin, in the Seychelgs. says G.M.B. 'Some sailors beUeved that the! eairs were mummified mermaid’s thighs, but mermaids had tails, lie adds. .Not even the oldest seafarer is Lyttelton has heard of this theory, and not one has. when pber, seen a mermaid. But all gave expressed interest in hearing more about the "cocoa de ter.” G.M.B. wants to obtain two books which he cannot get from the Christchurch Public Library, “Sail,” and "Square Riggers.” 2 « « * “In answer to "Sheepfarmer”, of Mid-Canterbury, Blue Star Port Lines says that when the Gladstone Star left Lyttelton for Nakhodka (Russia) last week-end &e took 170.862 carcases of mutn <3377 tonnes), all from Canterbury. The Somerset, another British cargo liner, will load Bleat at Lyttelton this month for Odessa. >S « « One of the pleasures for those •ho work at Lyttelton Is its cosmopolitan flavour, charm and character. Seafarers and wives travelling with their husbands eome from many countries. Yesterday several heads were turned when two attractive Indian women in colourful saris strolled In the shopping area. They were Mrs Jharna Choudhury, wife of the master of the

Indian vessel State of Uttar Pradesh, and the chief engineer’s wife, Mrs Clara Fernandes. Both said they appreciated the friendliness of New Zealanders. This Is their first visit to the country. ib # *

Two Union Company sister vessels—the Ngakuta and Ngahere —are at Lyttelton. The latter Is commanded by Captain P. E. Bennett, better known as the master of the former Pacific Islands trader Tofua when she was in service. Captain Bennett was born in Gisborne and educated at Gisborne High School. Mrs Bennett, also formerly of Gisborne is travelling with her husband this trip. # #

ARRIVALS Coastal Trader (7 a.m.i, 2499, Capt. J. Taylor, Dunedin (U.S.S.). Ngahere (9.39 a.m.i, 4548. Capt. P. E. Bennett, Dunedin (U.S.S.). DEPARTURES Rangatlra (10.17 a.m.i, 9387, Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.) (daylight). Coastal Trader (1.18 p.m.), 2499, Capt. J. Taylor, Auckland) (U.S.S.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Apollonian Grace, Auckland, today. Esquellno, Wellington, today. Athelviscount Marsden Point, today (tanker). Mombasa Maru, Wellington, today (bulk). Rangatlra. Wellington, today. Union Sydney, Wellington, today. Itoham Maru No. 3, Tauranga, today. Frysna, Tonga, October 4. Elmbank, Mexican Gulf. October 4. Ngahere, Wellington, October 4. C. Joyce, Wellington, Oct. 5. Texaco Scandinavia, Auckland, October 5 (tanker). President Quezon, Wellington, October 5. Kyotai Maru, Auckland, Oct. 5. Woollahra, Wellington, October 5 <seml-container). Rangatlra, Wellington, October Ecuadorian Reefer. Auckland, October 5. Rangatira, Wellington. October 5. Tacoma Maru —. October 5. Coastal Trader, Auckland. Oct ' Holmdale, Apia, October 8. PROJECTED DEPARTURIS Dido, Newcastle, today. Moanui, Dunedin, today. Hawaii Maru, Noumea, today. Athelviscount, Dunedin, today

(tanker). Rangatira, Wellington, today. Union New Zealand. Timaru. October 4. Rangatira, Wellington, October 5 (daylight). Ngahere, Wellington. October 5. Union Sydney. Sydney. October 5, Songkhla, Ho Ro, October 5. Itoham Maru No. 3. Japan, Oct. 5. Texaco Scandinavia, October 6 (tanker). Rangatlra. Wellington, October 8 (deyllght). Coastal Trader. Dunedin, October Apollonian Grace, Timaru. October 7. NZ Waitangi, Timaru, October 7. State of Uttar Pradesh, Slnga pore, October 7. Ecuadorian Reefer, Adelaide, October 7. Ngakuta, Tauranga, October 7, Esqullino, Bluff, October 8. Holmdale, Chathams, October 9. Woollahra, Dunedin, October 9 (semi-contanler). C. Joyce, Napier, October 10. VESSELS IN PORT Hawaii Maru. No. 2 Casbin Quay. Dido, G.P.C. Moanui, No. 3 East. NZ Waitangi, No. 3 West. Ngahere, No. 4 East. Ngakuta, No. 6 West (survey). State of Uttar Pradesh, No. 7 East Songkhla, No. 1 West. Ngemotu. Graving Dock.

Cargo from the following containers it now available in E shed:— Columbus Caribic: SUDU 2161220, SUDU 2162225, SUDU 2355842, SUDU 2181791, SUDU 2161852. Columbus N.Z.: UFCU 277699, SUDU 2801121. ACT 4: ACTS 2801502.