RAILWAY CONGESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16365, 2 March 1921, Page 7

RAILWAY CONGESTION.

HARBOUR BOARD’S REFERENCE. Mr H. B. Sorensen, chairman of the Lyttelton. Harbour Board, at to-day’s meeting referred to tho congestion at the railway sheds. He said:— “ At the invitation of the Canterbury Progress League, and attended by the board’s secretary and engineer. I joined a party to accompany tho Prime Minister, in his capacity of Minister of Railways, in a visit to the Christ-chnrch-Lvttelton railway yards and goods sheds, on February 14. Opportunity was taken to urge upon the Mnister the necessity lor improvements in connection with the Christ-ehurch-Lyttelton railway system, but unfortunately the state of affairs in the yards and sheds did not favour our case, as the yards and sheds were congested with goods of which the consignees were failing to take delivery, and this condition was hampering the railway in delivering tho goods for which other consignees were waiting. The impression left on my mind was that after the completion of tho new goods shed and sidings in connection therewith, we> would have to wait for further improvemelts until the completion of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel and Midland railway glaerally; and regretting the position, T am compelled to admit that, taking into consideration the present conditions as to labour, materials and finance, the attitude ot the Minister is not. unreasonable. While making this admission, however, T do not propose to relax any efforts towards urging the Government to Luther proceed with the works or ae ‘Hi ley ■* scheme as soon as practicable” , , ~ ■ _ Mr T A. Black lev askeu it no were put on goods not taken away; farmers had to pay for trucks delayed. Mr Sorensen said that- i« was generally agreed that demurrage charges should be paid by consignees, but, judging from the reports m the Pre.._ that db. congestion had hoen eieatlv relieved lately. . !>r Thanker said nhat tne rebel was onlr an impression, a* there were thousands of tons of shipping held up at Wellington. The report was adopted. Tlie engineer made the following report on the work at the port during the month: — The officers’ reports indicate that had the work of the port been normal, the berthage space would have been ample. Owing to the shortage of railway waggons, the working of the wharves has been, delayed at intervals during the month, with tho result that several vessels had to lie in the stream: until berths became vacant. Up to February 11 the following vessels were kept in the stream :—B.s. Trewellard, 92 hours; Soaida, 20; Waitemaia, 22; Paparoa, 2i : Willaston, 21-£ ; Koromiko 27. The delays to shipping were minimised to some extent by tho cast side of No. 2 jetty being used to-berth the steamers Paparoa. and Somerset, loading meat, but this berth is not ready for vessels requiring to work lour or five gangs on general cargo. Up to February 11 shipping appears to have suffered delav owing to difficulties with tho waters!ders in regard to overtime, but reports indicate that during the latter part of tlie month unusually good work was don© by the men when trucks were available. Up to February 11 the shortage of waggons was practically continuous. From February 22 to February 28 the position had eased considerably with the sailing of five vessels- The accumulation of waggons under load with coal, timber and merchandise appears to bo the cause of tho shortage. On February 28 there were four steamers and one sailing vessel in port discharging coa 1.