PETONE AND HUTT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1911, Page 8

PETONE AND HUTT.

SHIPPING FACILITIES. The wharf at Petone presented un- ■ wonted signs of bustle yesterday evening, when the s.s. Waverley was engaged in discharging live freight on consignment to the Gear Company. In ail about 450 sheep from the French Pass were landed. A boat from the Sounds usually makes the trip twice or thrice during the busy season at the company's works, but beyond this, and I an occasional call by one of the Weli lington Ferry Company's steamers, there is practically no shipping traffic at Petone. Experiments have been tried with shipments of timber, but they can scarcely be written down as successful. On the occasion of the first consignment, the timber was left stacked overnight on the wharf after being discharged from the ship's hold, with the result that next day it was discovered that a subsidence of several piles forming the main supports of the landing dock had taken place to the extent of several inches. Since then the wharf has been considerably strengthened to accommodate, as far as strength of* foundations is concerned, all the cargo likely to be landed at the local port for some time fco come. For other reasons, however, the firm thaa chartered the first steamer to land timber there, finds that shipping direct to Petoae is not a payable proposition. Speaking to a Post reporter, a sawmillesr explained that on the occasion of the secoad trial shipment some Tnonihs ago, the vessel found it impos.sible to complete discharge of her caxgo — sobqb 30,000 out of a total of 120,000 Beet of timber were actually landed — owin^ to rongh weather. Consequently, tSie boat had -to put back to sea again and unship the balance at the Wellington -wharves. The idea of local shipments had now been abandoned as impracticable, as no boat moored alongside ■fche Pa tone "Wharf could, in its exposed position, face a heavy sea without receiving a very severe buffetting. Provided flhe necessary sheltered accommodation provided, a material saving to consignees could be effected by utilisation csf the wharf. The Petone Borough Council also, it is interesting to note, some time ago -went into the ■question of shipping coal required for flte local gas-works direct from the Wast Coast to the wharf, bnt for certain reasons the proposal fell through. One of tbe main difficulties anticipated was understood at the time to be that of cartage from the wharf to the works. Meanswhild, the impression to be gained from leading business men of the town is that thie wharf is not likely to be used to airp extent for some considerable time to come. ROWING. Weather conditions were very favourable" at Pcitone last -evening/ when the first heat ctf the local club's junior pairs event was rowed. The race was wonby the crew composed of A. Packard (stroke), W. Clapson (bow), and J. Wilds (cox), who defeated Baumgren (stroke);, W. Hume (bow), and H. Saunders (cox), by about two and a half lengths. On Friday the second heat will be Towed, the final being set down for decisiomon Saturday afternoon at '2.30 sharp. RUNNING. Under -the auspices of the Junior Club, another evening run was yesterday held on tie Petone recreation ground. Two handicap efvents were decided. The 75 yaaxts event w.as carried off by Parker, Joe Ryan and W. M'Ewan being second and third respectively. In, the mile race, M. Naakeville first breasted the tape, followed by R. M'Connell, and then Davis. PONEKE JLODGE, U.A.0.D., PETONE. The above-named lodge held its fortnightly meeting last evening, Bro. Savage, V.A., presiding. Correspondence and other business were discussed. One p/oposal for membership was received. Sick pay to the amount of £8 10s was passed. The smoke night is postponed till early in March, when the new D.P. will be installed, and a P. A. collar and diploma presented to Bro. C. Grant.