SHIPPING NEWS Labour surplus on waterfront

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 14

SHIPPING NEWS Labour surplus on waterfront

(By

JOHN LESLIE)

The Lyttelton waterfront had a record labour shortage—672 men—on March 7, during congestion.

As predicted and regularly recorded in “The Press” for many years, the rhythmic rise and fall indicates that the pendulum has swung again—but not stopped the clock. There were 281 men idle yesterday, and 260 engaged (daylight only). Lyttelton's deputy harbourmaster (Captain J. A. Barbour), indicated last Friday that this week would be a lean one. A waterfront glance yesterday confirmed this, in port were two overseas vessels — the Recife Maru (Japanese) which later sailed, and the Norwegian semicontainer vessel. Torrens, due to leave today. The Coastal Trader (roll-on) arrived later.

However, two of Britain’s most attractive refrigerated cargo liners are due this week-end. The Port Auckland will discharge British general cargo and load refrigerated and general cargo for Mediterranean ports and Britain. The Tasmania Star will load general cargo for Britain. Members of a dying race, these beautiful vessels both have limited passenger accommodation. ' The Port Auckland la sister vessel to the Port Brisbane, which was at Lyttelton last week), was the last command before retirement of Captain W. J. Enright, of Papanui.

Due also this week-end is the Belgian “banana boat” Frubel Princes Paola.

Apart from the arrival of the Holmdale from the Chathams this evening, and the routine roll-on traffic, little is on the horizon until the middle of next week. The outlook is not very bright.

A Mount Pleasant resident telephoned yesterday to say that he could see what appeared to be two large Russian vessels off the coast, but too far away to Identify properly. It was the first time he had seen them for a long time, he said. However, Japanese and Russian fishermen are no longer strangers to Lyttelton.

Two men well known on the Lyttelton maritime scene who recently died will be greatly missed.

Mr Jack Illingworth, aged 66, came to Lyttelton from Durham with his family when an infant. After attending the West Lyttelton School, he spent several years at sea. In the Depression years he took up fishing at Lyttelton and at Kaikoura, owning his own craft. He worked for a period on the waterfront, too. From May. 1952, until retirement in August, 1973. he worked for the Lyttelton Harbour Board. He served first as a deckhand aboard the dredge Tewhaka. then as a boatman, and in latter years as a watchman (wharf at-

tendant), A quiet, likeable man, he is survived by four grownup children. His wife died several years ago. Mr Peddy O'Brien, who was born in County Limerick, was a skilled shipwright—a valuable waterfront role. Since 1965. Mr O’Brien had been employed by the Lyttelton branch of the New Zealand Stevedoring and Wharffngering Company, Ltd. but before than he had a long association with Shaw Savill and Albion, Ltd. at Lyttelton. He transferred to the newer company when it was formed. An obliging and cheerful man. Mr O’Brien was secretary of the local branch of the Shipwrights’ Union for several years. Because of ill health he had not been working for some time. During the last war he served at sea as a Defensively Equipped Merchant Shinping rating. He is survived by hfs wife and two grown-up children. * * * ARRIVALS Coastal Trader (5.39 p.m.l, 2499, Capt. T. E. Partridge, Timaru (L’.S.S.). DEPARTURES Recife Maru (4.45 p.m.), 7772, Capt. S. Miatake, Dunedin (Seatrans).

Coastal Trader (9.35 p.m.). 2499. Capt. T. E. Partridge. Auckland (U.S.S.).

EXPECTED ARRIVALS Rangatira. Wellington, today. Union Sydney, Wellington, today. Holmdale. Chathams, today. Rangatira. Wellington, April 12 i Port Auckland, Auckland April 12. Frubel Prinses Paola. Auckland, April 13. Erne. Marsden Point. April 13 (Tanker). Tasmania Star. Tauranga, April 13. Tasman Career, Wellington, April 15. Hawea. Wellington, April 15. Esquillno. Wellington. April 16. Coastal Trader. Dunedin. April 16. Union Wellington, Auckland, April 18. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Torrens, Dunedin, today (semicontainer). Rangatira. Wellington, today. Union Sydney. Dunedin, today. Ranatira. Wellington, April 12 (daylight). Erne. Wellington, April 14 (Tanker). Hawea, Dunedin, April 15. Frubei Prinses Paola, , April 16. Coastal Trader. Auckland. April 16. i Union Wellington Wellington, April 18. VESSELS IN PORT Torrens. No. 2 Cashin Quay. Ngatoro, No. 4 West (laid up). CONTAINERS Cargo from the following containers is now available in E shed:— Australian Exporter 2266; UFCU 263154. UFCU 2716902.