PORT OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 10

PORT OF OTAGO

WEATHER DELAYS SHIPPING MANY VESSELS EXPECTED Heavy rain experienced at northern ports throughout the week has been responsible for delays to shipping, more particularly at Lyttelton and Wellington, where almost continuous rain day after day has hampered cargo handling operations. These delays in the north have affected the port of Otago, for a number of vessels which were expected early in the week have not yet arrived. The City of Tokio, with a cargo from New York, has been delayed at Lyttelton since last week-end, as it was found impossible to work her cargo owing to the soaking rain. Unloading operations proceeded yesterday, however, and there is a possibility that the vessel will reach Dunedip to-day. The Wingatui was delayed by southerly gales on the passage down the coast from Auckland to southern ports. She was expected to arrive at Wellington yeserday, and is now due at Dunedin on Sunday. As the vessel is running at least three days late, she will not proceed to Bluff from this port, but will leave here on Monday for East Coast ports and Auckland. The Parera, which left Wellington on Monday night for Dunedin and Bluff, was compelled to shelter at Port Underwood. She returned to Wellington yesterday and sailed last night for Dunedin. The vessel should arrive here to-morrow, and will sail again on Tuesday for northern ports, after returning from Bluff. The small steamers John and Gale have been delayed in the north for several days. The former is expected at Dunedin to-day and the Gale to-morrow, to load for northern ports. The Kaimai, with coal from Westport, has been delaj'ed at Wellington, and is not expected at this port until to-morrow, while the Opihi has also been affected and will not reach Dunedin until next Wednesday. When conditions become normal again there will be an influx of shipping at Dunedin, and as several overseas vessels are due next week a busy period should be experienced on the waterfront.' These will include the Maimoa, to load products at Port Chalmers for England; the Waikawa, with frieight from Pacific Coast ports; KalingO, with general cargo and timber from Clarence River, Newcastle, and Sydney; and the Narbada, with Eastern merchandise loaded at Calcutta; Rangoon, Penang, Singapore, and Samarang.