Congestion At Port Of Wanganui Follows Recent Slack Period

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 June 1948, Page 4

Congestion At Port Of Wanganui Follows Recent Slack Period

With four coastal vessels in port today and more expected during the week, the Port of Wanganui will experience an exceptionally busy period and because of congestion, some shins are likely to be at Castlecliff longer than usual. Cargoes to be handled include general merchandise, coal, sugar and wool.

Last week was one of the quietest on the Wanganui waterfront for some time, due to bad weather and congestion elsewhere delaying vessels en route to Castlecliff. The wharves were empty till the Holmdale arrived on Thursday with general cargo from Dunedin and Oamaru, via Wellington.

Further arrivals toward the weekend were the Hauturu and the Gale. The former has general cargo and sugar from Onehunga and will discharge today or tomorrow, after which she sails for Lyttelton direct. The Gale brought general cargo from Lyttelton and after discharge today sails for Wellington. With 800 tons of coal from West Coast mines, the Anchor Line’s collier Rata departed from Greymouth on Sunday and was expected to berth at Castlecliff late last night. After discharge she will probably return to the West Coast, sailing later in the week.

A large quantity of wool will oe shipped from Wanganui during the next few days and the Holmglen Is scheduled to arrive tomorrow from Port Waikato. The Melva, due from Wellington tomorrow, will also ioafl wool.

General cargo from Picton is ex pected this week by the 1-lolmlea, and the Breeze leaves Timaru today or tomorrow with general cargo for Wanganui direct. The rush of shipping is due in part to bad weather early last week upsetting coastal schedules. Because the labour available is insufficient for all the ships in port at Castlecllff, some delays are likely.