SHIPS IN PORT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 7

SHIPS IN PORT.

INCREASE IN TONNAGE.

During June 136 vessels with a total net tonnage of 162.709 tons entered the Port of Lyttelton, as against 104 vessels aggregating 134,264 tons during the eorreponcliner month of 1920. The chairman stated at to-day’s meeting of the Harbour Board that the average number of ships in port during June was 15$. while the greatest number was 23 and the least 10. Tho harbourmaster’s report of June 14 indicated that there were delays for want of trucks in the first half of the month, during which the average daily number of ships at the wharves was 17$, as against 14 for the latter half of the month. Tho shortage of trucks was especially noticeable on Juno 10.

Discussing delays in port, several members referred to the need for effecting improvements in the supply of trucks, and it was suggested that a detailed report should be obtained on the daily supply of trucks. Mr F. G. Norton said that the harbourmaster could reduce the delays by-co-operating more with the stationmaster. A harbourmaster nowadays should be a very live man. The present sfcationmaster was a very good worker, and spent a lot of time going round the port. The engineer (Mr Cyrus Williams; said that the work was entirely one for the Railway Department, which .should be urged to carry out its work properly. He could not bo expected to take a tally of each truck that went alongside a ship.

Air F.Horrell said that ib was outside the work of the board to keep a .tally. Mr H. T. Armstrong said that it was all very well to say that it was the Railway Department’s business, but the Board should come in between the Department and the shippers to protect the interests of the public. The board had officers walking about the wharves at all hours, and it could become a part of their duty to report on trucks. The engineer insisted that the work would entail extra clerical assistance. Mr Holland said that it would be sufficient to report stoppages from time to time.

Mr R. Macartney complained that the reports were not as full as they used to be.

The engineer said that at the time referred to by Air Macartney the shortage was very acute, and there was more to report. However, lie could fall in with the suggestion of Air Holland. The report was adopted.