LOADED BY CREW

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 November 1932, Page 5

LOADED BY CREW

PORT GISBORNE SAILS MEAT PUT ABOARD DURING NIGHT OFFICERS AS WHARF LABOURERS Auckland. Nov. s.—Although Auckland waterside workers refused to load a quantity of frozen meat into the Commonwealth and Dominion Line -motor ship Port Gisborno at the Central Wharf, the cargo, which the watersiders declined to handle, was on board when the ship left Auckland for London, via the Panama Canal early yesterday afternoon. The meat was loaded on the vessel by the crew, all of whom are certificated officers, who worked throughout the night. Al; iiino o'clock in Iho evening, an hour after the watersiders had knocked off, the crow of the motor ship turned to, and a start was made in getting the meal, on hoard, (he raiP way wagon containing' the meal having been shunted back to the wharf. The work continued throughout the night, and it was not until six o'clock vesterday morning that the last of the 2700 freight carcases were put aboard. The men worked in two sangs and the ship's equipment was sufficient to handle the slings, the use of the Harbour IJoard's gear not being necessary. The meat, loaded on to the Port Gisborne comprised lamb, pork and bobby calf. When tin 1 last of the consignment had been loaded the hatches were battened down and the vessel left her berth and went to anchorage in the stream. It was not possible for (lie ship to take her immediate departure for London as her mails and papers wore not on board, but she soiled shortly after mid-day. She is due to reach London on December f), so that her produce will he in plenty of time for (lie Christmas market. All the declc hands on the Port flisborne are certificated officers, who shipped "before the inasi" for want of employment on the bridge of any other ship. Their wages are the Board of Trade rate of £S 2s per month, and officially they receive no special privileges.