THREE COLLIERS OFF

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 118, 15 November 1945, Page 9

THREE COLLIERS OFF

NORTH ISLAND COAL POSITION

Three of the Union Steam Ship Company's colliers, the Poolta, Wingatui, and Kartigi, are at present laid up in Wellington. The Wingatui has been on survey for some time and is at present on the floating dock. Since the dispute on the Poolta and the subsequent paying off of the crew, she has been withdrawn from service and is at the Patent slip undergoing overhaul.

Early on Tuesday morning the Kartigi limped into port after breaking her rudder stock off the West Coast while carrying coal for North Island ports. She was taken in tow by the Gabriella which was en route for Wellington, and the two vessels reached port safely, though the Kartigi was lying well down in th e water with what appeared to be a big cargo of coal. The Kartigi is discharging her cargo and on completion will undergo repair here.

With three ships off the run, several thousand tons of coal will now remain on the West Coast each week instead of being shipped to the North Island ports where they are badly needed. Until these ships resume their running there is no prospect of an improvement in the coal position.