SHIPPING DELAYED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 7

SHIPPING DELAYED

CONGESTION AT WESTPORT NOT ENOUGH COAL TO LOAD (P.A.) WESTPORT, June 11. Because of the sustained rush of shipping at Westport in the past three weeks, accentuated to some dxtent by vessels having to complete loading at this port because of unfavourable bar conditions at Greymouth, the coal produced from the Buller district mines has not proved sufficient to maintain steady loading, and ships in port and due to arrive this week will have their departures delayed. The Karepo arrived from Auckland on Sunday and is not expected to commence loading until this evening. The Totara is due to-day from Wellington, but will not be able to take coal until to-morrow afternoon, while the Omana, which is expected from Auckland tomorrow morning, will not commence loading until Friday at the earliest. The Kiwitea, which is coming from Greymouth to complete loading for Auckland, may also be delayed until coal is available. The Wingatui and Titoki are at present loading for Wellington and Picton respectively. With the Kaimiro, which has been held up since Sunday because of a heavy sea on the bar with much-needed coal for Auckland, they may leave to-night. A satisfactory feature of the bar soundings this morning was that a good depth has been maintained after the bad weather, which has caused a heavy swell since Saturday. Actually there has not been any trouble at Westport because of unfavourable bar conditions for a long period.