Collier idle At Portland

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1948, Page 6

Collier idle At Portland

No start could be made this morning to discharge the 1000-ton cargo of the Union Steam Ship Company collier Kakapo, which arrived at Portland late yesterday afternoon. Insufficient key-men from the. works staff were available and the vessel will be idle for the week-end.

It is understood that the engine drivers refused to report for work this morning and the same attitude was adopted by some of the “bull rope” men. who handle the trucks of coal in the yards. There is no other way of hauling fine coal from the ship along the threeauarter mile wharf to the works.

Whangarei watersiders were available for the ship today and, on learning that no work would be done, they offered to commence unloading tomorrow.

The Union Company did not accept their offer and work will commence on Monday. The watersiders’ attitffde was expressed by their president (Mr F. Hill) this morning. He said he was not fully conversant with the reasons for the Portland workers’ refusal to handle the job this morning, but his men were disappointed that there was no work for them today, as it meant they would now miss the Northern Steamship Company’s vessel Toa, which would arrive at Whangarei on Tuesday. The handling of the Kakapo’s cargo would occupy Monday and Tuesday and the watersiders would have beer, free to work the Toa if a start had been made at Portland today!