Sixteen vessels at Lyttelton

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 15

Sixteen vessels at Lyttelton

SIIIPPI --N LW S-

(By

JOHN LESLIE)

Figures can mislead, but by any standards, Lyttelton’s labour shortage, of 630 men, at 7 a.m. yesterday was impressive.

For daylight hours, 450 unionists, 15 non-unionists and 1R crew members were engaged. Thirty-six unionists were ordered for evening work. Of 1« merchant vessels in the harbour limits, 14 were overseas ones. Only two New’ Zealand vessels—the Holmdale, loading for the Chathams, and the Ngapara, signing on after lay. up—were at the berths. At anchor lay the Norfolk Maru (Japanese,. Vaucluse (French), and Atrevida (Danish). At the berths, the Limpsfield and Hupeh were idle, and the Golar Fruit. Sinkiang, Japan Rimu, Japan Totara, and Holmdale were shortmanned.

If 630 men (39 gangs), a formidable figure, had suddenly become available to man these vessels, there would have been chaos: impossible demands would have been made on road and rail transport.

If one thing stands out in view of the delays caused by rain and labour shortages, it is the efficacy of the roll-on container system, as proved by the Union Company fleet. Ironically, the roll-on intercolonial vessel Wanaka has just gone to Dunedin to pay off because of lack of cargo.

Although bulk carriers, tankers, and conventional vessels must play their part in sea transport, many contend that roll-on containerisation, of the Scandinavian. P.A.D. type would strike at the heart of congestion in Lyttelton. Observers who were impressed on Saturday by the L.A.S.H vessel, Australia Bear, would also welcome a demonstration by a giant roll-on container vessel of the Scandinavian P.A.D. type. With the cellular container vessel Remuera delayed by engine trouble, to the chagrin of importers, and the South Island container-port choice still in abeyance, the present congestion, certainly no novelty to Lyttelton, strongly suggests roll-on containerisation, as opposed to cellular (crane) containerisation, as the solution. The Lyttelton Harbour Board traffic manager (Mr J. B. Graham) expects little easing of the labour situation at present. * *

Yesterday morning, 222 pupils of Lyttelton Main School, as part of the school’s centennial celebrations. made harbour cruises aboard the veteran tug Lyttelton, under the command of a member of the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society. Captain J. F. E. Crawford, a harbour pilot. And 225 w’ives of members of the United Fire Brigades Association who have been meeting in Christchurch, also made afternoon harbour cruises in the tug. s 3 g: >3 As guests of the Hornby Rugby League Football Club. 150 members of the Good Companions Club (senior citizens of Hornby), visited Lyttelton in four buses yesterday on a sightseeing tour. At Lyttelton Main School they were entertained to afternoon tea. Punils waited on the visitors at the tables. DEPARTURES Ngapara, 6.32 p.m.). 4543, Capt. R. Beavis, Auckland. (U.S.S.). Forresbank. <6.25 p.m.), 6154,: Capt. P. J. Elder, Port Moresby., (Kinsey). Medica. (11.25 p.m.), 11,120, Capt. R. E. Altham, Bluff. (S.C. of N.Z. Ltd). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Hawea. Wellington, today. Rangatira, Wellington, today. Coastal Trader, Dunedin, March 5. Rangatira, Wellington. March 6. Straat Colombo, Dunedin, March I 6. Ngakuta. Dunedin, March 6. Teesta, Wellington, March 7. Prima Maru, Japan, March 9. Woollahra. Nelson, March 9; (semi-con tain er). Hong KOng Surety. Napier, March I 10. Golden Bear, Auckland. March! 11 (L.A.S.H.). Tekoa, Wellington, March 12. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Voce. Wellington, today. Ilolmdale Chathams, today. Alekseyevsk, Wellington, today (tanker). Rangatira. Wellington, today. Hawea, Dunedin, today. Coastal Trader, Auckland, March |

Rangatira, Wellington. March 6. Vaucluse Napier, March 6. Golar Fruit, —, March 6. Japan Rimu, Dunedin. March 6 Hupeh, Bluff, March 8. Sinkiang. Tauranga. March 8. Durango. Whangarei. March 8. Ngakuta, Wellington, March 8. Golden Bear. Lae, March 11 (L.A.S.H). VESSELS IN PORT Durango. No 1 Cashin Quay. Limpsfield, No. 2 Cashin Quav. Golar Fruit, No 3 Cashin Quav. Alekseyevsk. G.P.C. Japan Rimu. G.P.E. Holmdale, No. 3 East. Japan Totara, No. 3 East. Hupeh. No. 4 East. Sinkiang. No. 4 West. Voce, No. 7 East. In Stream: Atrevida, Vaucluse, Norfolk Maru.