ACTIVITY OF PORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22596, 8 December 1936, Page 11

ACTIVITY OF PORT

MANY LARGE VESSELS PROBLEM OF BERTHING With 1 t large overseas ships berthed at tho Auckland wharves yesterday the port was a scene of great activity. The berth at the end of Queen's "Wharf, which has not been used for a vessel of any size for many years, was utilised yesterday for the Union Company's collier Waipiata. Several of the ships are overhanging front the end of tho wharves while there is a general scarcity of cranes and men to work the cargo. The labour problem is not serious, however, as port facilities are taxed to the full and cargoes are not being handled as quickly as in normal times.

Tho departure of a number of vessels has been delayed from time to time owing to loading and discharging operations taking longer than expected. The Blue Star motor-ship New Zealand Star was originally to have sailed for London on Friday. She left port late last night and has a considerable quantity of wool bought at the recent Auckland sale for tho London market. The Royal Mail liner Aorangi, which arrived from Sydney yesterday morning, had to berth on tho western side of Queen's Wharf. She was to have left at 11 o'clock this morning for Vancouver but she is now to sail at 4 p.m. to-dav.

Four large vessels, the Australind. Hororata, Sydney Maru and Awatea, are due to-morrow and the berthing problem is likely to become difficult The steamer Eastinoor will arrive from Java with raw sujwir this evening and she is going to Chelsea.

No fewer than six vessels are scheduled to sail to-day. The Norfolk, Huruntii, Port Bowen and Gabriella are all to go to coastal ports, while the Aorangi is to sail for Vancouver and the Kaiwarr.iv for Newcastle. Providing these ships all leave incoming vessels should experience little delay.