WATERSIDE TROUBLE CAUSES LOSS OF FRUIT AT AUCKLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1948, Page 6

WATERSIDE TROUBLE CAUSES LOSS OF FRUIT AT AUCKLAND

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 12. There is likely to be a big loss in a shipment of 21,000 cases of oranges and grape fruit which has arrived in the Port Huon, according to city traders. The vessel came from Liverpool by way of Jamaica. She arrived in the stream on Monday, but she did not berth until Thursday. The first 100 cases unloaded showed signs of waste, and much of the fruit had to be repacked. A week or 10 days is expected to elapse before the rest of the shipment is un- , loaded. This is because of the re-j tricted hours being worked on the • Auckland wharves. Only a small proportion of the cargo was handled on Thursday, and a few cases this morning. There was no work in the afternoon, because of wet weather, and the unloading will not be resumed until Monday morning. . • Even when work recommences, the fruit is expected to deteriorate further in the refrigerated holds, as the hatches have to be opened and closed daily. More than 500 Auckland waterside workers are still on penalty temporarily barring them from work in port. Although 130 came off penalty this morning, a similar number of men, who had finished work on the Kaimanawa and other ships, and re-; fused to accept engagement on thej preference ship, Mount Park, were placed on penalty.

Rain stopped, all work in the port ;his afternoon.