TRUCK SHORTAGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18439, 19 June 1920, Page 9

TRUCK SHORTAGE.

THE POSITION AT LYTTELTOM. it The truck shortage is becoming very f serious at Lyttelton. The Port Hacking, which arrived on Thursday after, noon to discharge New- York cargo, and the Paparoa, with Liverpool cargo ta discharge, Were unable to work yesterday owing to the shortage. The Koromiko was dispatched for Westport last night, but she, too, was considerably, hampered in her unloading operations. The Kahika, which arrived last Saturday, did not make a start to unload until Wednesday, and since Wednesday she has only been partly manned. Yes< terday she "could not make a start until the afternoon, and then she only worked one gang, for want of trucks, and will not now be able to leave for Greymouth until Tuesday instead of leaving about Wednesday last. The Kokiri arrived on Sunday, and has likewise been hampered. Yesterday sh& could not be worked at all. It was contended that labour could hare been obtained for her had she been able to secure trucks. The 'Wairuna, instead of employing five only worked two, owing to insufficient trucks, and , the Kakapo two gangs instead of three. ! The Orepuki arrived from Greymouth on Monday and should have sailed on Wednesday on the return trip to Greymouth, but it is at present doubtful if she can be dispatched before Tuesday. The Baden-Powell is another vessel which has been delayed, also the Perth, which has a part cargo of coal from Newcastle- Six gangs were employed on the Waitomo yesterday in loading, so as to make available empty trucks for Other vessels. A shortage of waterside labour was also the cause of vessels being delayed early in the week. There has been a congestion of shipping in the port for the past two or three weeks, and the hhipping companies are having an anxious time in their endeavour to dispatch their steamers as quiok* ly as possible. Yesterday afternoon there were eighteen steamers, includlnfj five oversea vessels and ond oversea steamer (the Waiwera) lying at anchor in the stream awaiting a berth. It is unusual to see two large steamers berthed alongside No. 1 breastwork,' but every other berth being filled yesterday, tho Ngakuta was berthed there together with the Perth. The Korcmiko sailed last night for Westport, and her berth at the Gladstone Pier will be taken up this morning by th*> Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's Waiwera. Tho increase in the number of ships to Lyttelton of late, and the shortage of railway trucks, has made the position more acute this year than usual. The distributing of the small number of trucks available amongst the various companies gives the stationmaster ajj very difficult and arduous task. , ■