AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 12

AT LYTTELTON

WAHTNE DUE TO-DAY

A BUSY WATERFEONT.

There were busy .scenes on every wharf at Lyttelton yesterday, and the amount of cargo handled exceeded that of ; any previous day. In the town absolute orderliness prevailed, and away from" the waterfront Lyttelton was very dull.- Many [of the strikers gazing on the waterfront, which for . all of them is forbidden ground, appeared to .be much impressed. s The fact that six large big oversea steamers have arrived in Lyttelton during the past few days has given the Uβ to the statements of strike leaders and agitators that the published ■ reports concerning the working of 6hips at Wellington were fabrications. Such steamers that have come from Wellington hare discharged thousands of tons of cargo there, and the process is now being repeated at Lyttelton.

It is stated that yesterday's meetings of strikers in the Oddfellows' Hall were very lively, and that the sounds of angry voices could be heard to passersby for some distance along the street. In tjpite of the statements of the strike leaders to the contrary, it is commonly reported in Lyttelton that the men on strike are, in their hearts, not the solid body that the officials talk of. There is a big proportion of the men who would be pleased to be. working on board the many ships at present discharging cargo at the. wharves. REMUERA ARRIVES. Early yesterday morning the New Zealand Shipping Company's big 12,000----ton steamer Ilemuera arrived from Wellington, and berthed at No. 7 wharf. She has 2000 tons of general cargo to land at Lyttelton, and a start was made with the discharging at eight o'clock, a number of new unionists being engaged to work with the ship's crew.

THE FLEET IN PORT. The fleet of ships at the wharves yesterday was as follows: —Remuera, 11,241 tons- Rimutaka, 7952 tons; Dorset, 7630 tons; Marere, 6443 tons; Mimiro, 6225 tons; Canopus, 1337 tons; Kini, 1122 tons; Pateena, 1212 tons; Opouri, 571 tons; Karamu, 934 tons; Petone, 708 tons; schooners Eunice, Annie Hill, Aratapu, Lily, Morning Light, and Eliza Firth: H.M.S. Pyramus, and several small harbour steamers; total, 46,234 tons. The vessels in the stream were the Kaitangata, 1981 tons; Flora, 1283 tons, and Kowhai, 792 tons; total, 4056 tons. Of .the ships at the wharves, the 6chooners Annie Hill . and Lily were the only vessels not working. Eleven steamers and four schooners were discharging cargo at high pressure, and the long rakes of loadfed trucks, which were being made up in the yard for despatch to Christchurch, were eloquent testimony to the ■ good work which was being done. NEW ARBITRATION UNION GROWING. Every day brings recruits to the new Arbitration Union of Watersiders at Lyttelton. A number of the "specials", have been disengaged from duty and have joined tho Union to work on the wharves. Between twenty and thirty started work yesterday, and besides them a number of arbitrationists arrived from Christchurch and were at once engaged. Yesterday was the first pay day for the members of the new union.

A representative of "The Press" was informed yesterday that the new union has-now-150 permanent members, all genuine workers, and more are expected to sign on the roll to-day. The total number of men employed at cargo work on the waterfront" yesterday was 290, including 125 new unionists, 76 railway casual wharf labourers, the balance being seamen on the oversea steamers. The following vessels employed arbitrationists yesterday:— : Remuera, Rimutaka, Pateena, Karamu, Kini, Canopus, Opouri, Morning Light, Eunice, Aratapu, and Eliza Firth. In addition to this big fleet, tho Wahine, Corinthic, Kowhai, Kairaki, Wakatu, Petone, and Storm will be working todajj and will be supplied with a pro*

portion of new unionists. Very satisfactory work is being done on the wharves, and yesterday about 1300 tons of general cargo, coal, and timber was landed. Practically every berth at the Lyttelton wharves will be occupied to-day, when- there will be twenty ships, big and small, and aggregating over 65,000 tons, working in the port. CORINTHIC TO ARRIVE TO-DAY. The Shaw Savill and Albion liner Corinthic, which was detained at Wellington owing to trouble with her firemen, will arrive here this, morning, and will berth at No. T wharf to discharge 2000 tons of cargo. PATEENA WORKS CARGO. The ferry eteamer Pateena arrived from Wellington shortly before midday, her long passage being due to the poor quality of the coal. She landed 60 passengers and the mails, and also discharged a large quantity of cargo. As the steamer did not start discharging on Wednesday before 1 p.m., eho was unable to land all her cargo that day, and while in Wellington on Thursday she loaded a further 140 tons. Yesterday she "started work about 1 p.m., but as it was pay day for the now unionists, the Pateena stopped discharging at 5 p.m. During the four hours the steamer put out a large quantity of her cargo, and she also took in several truck loads for Wellington. She sailed ehbrtly after 6 p.m. for Wellington.

After lying in the stream at "Wellington for nearly four weeks, the ferry steamer Wahine was recominissioned yesterday., and sailed la&t night for Lyttelton, where she is due at 7 a.m. to-day. The Wahine, which is manned by masters and officers, on deck, and Arbitrationists in the stokehold, has been selected to run in the ferry service in place of the Maori, as she is an easier vessel to steam.

DORSET AND MIMIRO SAIL TO-DAY. Good work has been done by their respective crews in discharging the cargoes of the FederaNShire steamer Dorset and the A. and A. Line steamer Mimiro, and both ships wflf sail to-day for Dunedin, where they will complete unloading.

KARAMU COALS REMUERA. The Union Company's collier Karamu, ■which has been lying *t No. 3 wharf for some days, went alongside the New Zealand Shipping Company's eteamer Itemuera yesterday, and during the afternoon she was coaling the liner, new unionists providing the labour. EAST COAST SERVICE RESUMING. It is understood that the East Coast cargo service, which includes Lyttelton as a loading port, will be resumed next week, when a steamer will be loaded by tho Union Company for Napier, Gisborne, and Auckland. CARGO OF SUGAR COMING. During the strike, there has been a heavy run on "sugar, and local stocks have been depleted. A shipment from Auckland, will, however, be arriving here next week to relieve the shortage. The Union Companyfs cargo steamer Kittawa was to have left Auckland last night with a full cargo of sugar for Wellington, Lyttelton, Oamaru, and Bluff. She is due at Lyttelton about Wednesday next.

KOWHAI WILL COAL WAHINE. The Union Company's collier Kowhai was brouehtjn from the stream Yesterday evening, and berthed at No. 3 irharf. This morning she will haul alongside the Wahino to replenish that steamer's bunkers. Owing to the demand for berthing accommodation, the Kowhai will return to the stream tonight, to make room for the "Hinemoa, vrhicn is due here to-morrow to load etores for the Southern lighthouses. kaitangata loading wootton. Lying at anchor in the stream, the Union Company's collier Kaitangata, which arrived from Newcastle about three weeks ago, started discharging yesterday. The small steamer Wootton arrived from Kaiapoi, and went alongside the Kaitangata to take in- 150 tons of coal for Kaiapoi. The coal is being loaded .crereide. and the Wootton will sail to-day. She will probably load produce at Kaiapoi for Picton and .Wellington.

FULL CARGO FOR KAIBAKI. The Kaiapoi Shipping steamers Kairaki and AVoottoii have been kept Tunning throughout tn? strike period. The Kairaki, which *as discharging timber at Kaiapm day, . wJI arrive at Lyttclton this morning, and will load a * v " fu produce* and stores for New Plymouth and Hokitika. OPOURI LOADS FOB NELSON. The steamer Opouri will complete discharging her cargo of timber She will ship a part cargo of produce for Nelson, and will sail to-night tor Timaru where she will comploto oading. The master has made ail arrangements to man the Opoun witn a full crew. PETONE LOADS FOR NAPIER AND GISBORNE. The Canterbury Steam Shipping Company's steamer Petone, wniciiiias been lying in. the stream, berthed at the Gladstono pier, aud this raoriuns will start loading general cargo and produco for Napier and Gisborne. A crew is being obtained for the Petone which will sail to-night or on Monday. STORM FOR WANGANTJI. Tho Storm has been -bar-bound at AA'anganui, but is expected to arrive today with a shipment of cattle. b&e will return to Wanganui with general cargo and produce.

KAIKOURA TRADERS BUSY. The Cygnet from Lyttelton and the AVakatu from AVollingtou both full cargoes at Jvaikoura yesterday, and loaded wool for Lyttelton where they arc due to-day. There is a large quantity of cargo offering for Jvaikoura. tho steamer service having been nelU up for four weeks. The Cygnet and the AVakatu will load full cargoes at Lyttelton for Kaikoura, the former sailing to-night, and the latter to-morrow night, Tho small steamer John Anderson, which is laid up undergoing extensive repairs, was filled up with coal from tho Blackball hulk yesterday and will coal the Cygnet when required. CASUAL GOODvS SHED AVORKERS. Mr A. McNaughton, on behalf of tho casual goods shed workers, desires to acknowledge the following gifts:—Mr Goo Clark, Gould's road, 6 sacks potatoes; A Friend, North Canterbury, 1 case eggs and 1 case butter; Mr Petne, Railway Hotel, a quantity of potatoes; Mr G R Fail, Commerefal Restaurant, Christchurch, oOlb tea, 701b currants, 3 dozen tins Paisley flour, 12 dozen plates, 10 dozen cutlery, 18 butter dishes; also 3000 toothpicks for "them" to use when meditating on the "cussed" perversity of human nature. Mr McNaughton informed a "Press reporter that the majority of the casual employees had gone back to work in the goods sheds, and consequently wero not in need of further assistance- For this reason a grant of £5 os from the Aerated AVator AVorkers' Union had been returned. The men were deeply grateful for the kindness which had prompted this and all other gifts received. '

LADIES PROVIDE AFTERNOON TEA. The splendid discipline in "the- ranks of the "specials" and the exemplary behaviour of the men has won for them the esteem and respect of all unbiassed people in Christchurch and Lyttelton. The-utmost good feeling exists among tho men, who, living in "shakedown." quarters in the goods sheds at Lyttelton, are full of good humour, and accept tho little inconveniences in tho very best spirit. All speak vory highly of the arrangements made for their, comfort, and of the quality of the food supplied. It was a happy thought which, inspired a number of Christchurch arid Lyttelton ladies to provide afternoon tea for the "specials" yesterday. Improvised tables wore placed outside the Coronation Hall, and loaded with cakes and good things, more than sufficient to supply the two or three hundred men who accepted tho invitation of the ladies. Tea was served by tho ladies, who were assisted by willing volunteers from the ranks of the "specials." The men on duty at the railway gates were not forgotten, -. and greatly appreciated the thoughtfulnoss of the ladies. Colonel Chaffey, officer in command of the "specials," in a happy little speech, warmly thanked the" ladies for their thoughtful kindness in coming down to the waterfront. and entertaining < the "specials" in euch a hospitable manner. Tho men deeply appreciated the action of the ladies. The "specials" present gave three cheers for the ladies and one for their popular commander.

SUNDAY ON THE WATERFRONT. Mr Cyrus Williams, secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, has made arrangements with the authorities for the control of the traffic on the wharves on Sunday. It is proposed that tickets for the launch to Governor's Bay will admit the holders through the gates. A squad of special constables will be in position from the entrance to the railway yard to the launch jetties. Persons travelling by other launches will be requested to use the railway overhead bridge, and will be passed to the respective motor launches. In regard to the arrival of the ferry steamers, passes will be issued at the Harbour Board's Office, Lyttelton, as soon as Ithe Pateena is signalled inside the Heads. t CHARGE OF USING PROVOKING LANGUAGE. At the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Messrs F. W. Anderson and W. C. Cleary, J.P.s, Francis-Creek Sadler was charged with using provoking language, to wit "scabs" and "scabbing," to Joseph Salt in a railway carriage between Christchurch and Lyttelton, whereby a breach of the peace might been occasioned. " . Accused was defended by ]VJr Hunt, and pleaded "not guilty." Senior-Sergeant Ryan applied for a remand, which was granted till to-day, at 10.30 a.m. An application by Mr Hunt fpr bail was strenuously opposed by Senior-Ser-geant Ryan, who stated that accused was a dangerous man to bo allowed at large while the present state of affairs existed. Ho had made it his business to travel about and cause much dissension. Bail was not allowed ANOTHER CASE. James Coffey was charged with using provoking language on the No. 3 wharf at Lyttelton to Mark Atwilliams, on the 26th inst. On the application of the police this case was also remanded to 10.30 a.m. to-day. Accused having been summoned to appear at court, bail was not required.