PORT CHALMERS AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS AGAIN

CORNWALL TO DISCHARGE THERE. MERCHANTS EXASPERATED. Great consternation was caused amongst Dunedin merchants to-day, when it was rumored that tho Federal Line’s steamer Cornwall, carrying 1,400 tons of cargo from West of England ports for tho pert of Otago, would not come up to Dunedin to discharge. The agents (Messrs Turnbid), (Martin, and Co.) were immediately, communicated with, and they Hated that an urgent telegram had been despatched to tho agents in Christchurch to the effect that it was essential that the Cornwall’s cargo bo discharged at the Dunedin 'wharf. In reply to this telegram tho Christchurch agents for the Federal Line slated that tho Cornwall was drawing toe much water to enable her to berth at Dunedin, and arrangements had therefore been made to accommodate her at Port Chalmers. This is tho second occasion within seven days that an oversea steamer cm. vying cargo for this port has been compelled to land local cargo ®t Port Chalmers on account of tho vessels concerned drawing too much water to steam up the Victoria Channel. Merchants raised an emphatic protest against the procedure when the Taiuui was berthed at Port on April 22, and Hie Cornwall incident has raised [heir ire to a much higher pitch. It ia considered that something will have to he done to remedy tho practice, as, in addition to the extra cost to merchants for railage on their goods from Port, a further delay is occasioned in tho delivery of such good o The Dunedin watersiders also arc beginning to raise complaints, ns they lose .several days’ work when steamers are compelled to discharge at Port. On the other hand, the Port Chalmers watersiders reap the benefit. Had it been possible to bring the Cornwall up to Dunedin, employment would have been found for a large number of the local watersiders for two or three days.