FURTHER DELAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 6 December 1946, Page 6

FURTHER DELAY

RAIN AT AUCKLAND SAILINGS SET BACK (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Dec, 6. For the second day this week rain at Auckland yesterday resulted in the loss of several hours’ work on the waterfront which is struggling to gear itself to the 40-hour week. Wet weather on Monday and yesterday joined with the loss of time on the eight-hour clay to postpone further the departure of ships. Two passenger ships’ departure clays were set back by the companies. The Union Company’s islands motor-ship Matua. which was to have left for Suva yesterday, will now leave to-day and llie Port Line motor-ship Port Hobart will sail for Newport Virginia, and London on December 20, five days late. The Port Hobart has been delayed by the 40hour week at New Plymouth. The postponement in the departure of the Matua lias held the Blue Star Line motor-ship Gothic Star at anchor, The Gothic Star with a general cargo and mail from Britain lias been in the stream since Wednesday morning. The Union Company’s collier Kaiiniro waited at anchor for most of yesterday before she moved to a berth to discharge her West Coast, coal. No berth will be available for the Swedish motor-ship Wangaralta. which is due to-day with cargo from Scandinavia.

Coastal cargo is banking up on the wharves because ships are sailing without full cargoes. Shipments held up include beer, superphosphate, cement, wheat and (lour. At Onchunga, where two coastal ships arc in port, the effects of the shorter working hours imposed on Wednesday night are already being felt.