"TOO MUCH SHIPPING."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2051, 10 September 1920, Page 8

"TOO MUCH SHIPPING."

HANDLING OF CARGO. FACILITIES INADEQUATE. GOODS SHEDS OVERCROWDED. The necessity for increased shed accommodation at the railway yards in Christchurch is again being demonstrated. There are heavy arrivals of cargo at LyHelton, including goods from overseas. As the capacity of the sheds is overtaxed, it is impossible to unload trucks promptly, and this has caused a grave shortage of wagons at the ship's side. Further, rolling-stock has been diverted from the country districts, and this has partially eased the position. "It is simply a question of too much shipping at Lyttellon," said Mr W. Stringleman, District Railway Traffic Manager, to a Sun representative. "The quantity of cargo now being handled is one of the biggest ever received at the port." He added that extra hours are being worked

at the sheds, but the trouble is not alone due to the fact that greater provision for storage is needed. The carting power of merchants is not sufficient to deal with the rush. All carriers available are behig employed, but they cannot keep up with the steady stream of goods from Lyttellon. The sheds are now being kept open for extra hours to assist consignees in getting delivery of goods. They will be open for that purpose on Saturday afternoon, in addition to the extended hours on other week-days, although there may be a difficulty in obtaining carriers. The rush started yesterday, and, immediately, loading at country stations was stopped, except in certain urgent cases. The trucks thus released were sent to Lytlelton. Fortunately, the main carrying trade in respect of produce at country stations is now over, and more trucks are thus available. There are about 4000 trucks in use in Canterbury, this being the normal number, so that the shortage is entirely due to the fact that wagons have to he held at Christchurch pending room for their contents in the sheds. About 5000 tons of cargo are being unloaded from the Waimana, whilst work is finishing on the Matalua—another overseas vessel. Two overseas vessels are expected on Sunday. There are also overseas steamers loading cargo and intercolonial and coastal vessels to be attended to. Under the circumstances, the stringency in connection with trucks is likely to continue for at least a fortnight. There is no shortage of labour.

An inspection of the yards showed that there were large numbers of trucks waiting to be emptied. They were filled, chiefly with American and English goods. Merchants state that, as the duty is generally paid on whole consignments at a time, the whole of the goods have to be unloaded from trucks into the sheds before a start can he made with the delivery. At Lyttelton yesterday it was not possible to keep employed the whole of the water-

side labour. The Kahika arrived with 980 tons of coal and 150,000 ft of timber, but it was not possible to make a start with unloading until today. Two gangs are now being employed, instead of three. The Mini should have had six gangs working last night to deal with its cargo .pf coal. Instead, it employed two. but, as trucks were available this morning, full gangs were put on. Yesterday morning there were five gangs -working the Kauri. At noon, as further trucks were not available, four gangs were put off. The remaining gang was employed in discharging coal into a hulk. In the case of the Waimana. tallow and pelts are being loaded. As trucks are emplfced, they are being used for the discharge of the vessel's overseas cargo. On Sunday, the Trewellard, „ with 1500 tons of cargo from New York, is expected. A Japanese steamer is to arrive on Monday with 5000 tons of phosphates. The Ginga Maru is expected next week with 5000 tons of coal from Newcastle* . In addition, there will be the Ayrshire, with about 1500 tons of Liverpool cargo. Coastal shipping is also heavy. The Kittawa is due to-day with a cargo of coal. The Wanaka, ffom Auckland, will bring 2000 tons of cargo next week, and the Navua and Moeraki will also berth at Lyttelton.