AT LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 8

AT LYTTELTON.

WORK IN FULL SWING. BUSY TIMES ON THE WATERFRONT. The return of fine weather yesterday after the stormy conditions of the two previous days, enabled work to be resumed on all the wharves at Lyttelton yesterday. The big fleet of ships that crowded the harbour last Monday has been gradually reduced and yesterday, two more oversea .steamers left, thewharves. Apart from the good work which is being done in connexion with the big liners, it is noticeable that the coastal cargo steamers are now moving freely, and are handling '•,-• % large amount of freight. • ARRIVAL OF THE VICTORIA. After being laid up at Dunedin for more than a month, the Huddart Parker steamer Victoria Arrived at Lyttelton this morning. The vessel is manned by her original crew, with the exception of th© stewards, most of whom were sent back to Sydney. The seamen and firemen are performing their ordinary duties and are taking no part in the handling of cargo. The Victoria brought some cargo from Dunedin and is loading a big shipment of goods for Wellington. She will sail this afternoon with a full cargo, and as far as is known at present, will remain at Wellington for tho time being. THE FERRY STEAMER IN A GALE. The ferry steamerxWahine which left Wellington at 8 o'clock on Wednesday night was delayed by a strong southerly gale, and heavy head seas throughout her passage, and did not ' arrive at Lyttelton until 9 o'clock yesterday morning. Her stokehold hands worked very well, although several were more or less troubled by sea-sickness. The Wahine handled a large quantity of cargo during the day, and cleared up most of the goods which have been accumulating during the week. The Wahine was coaled by members of the new union from the collier Kowhai, and sailed last night for Wellington. THE WOOTTON ARRIVES. The little steamer Wootton which left Wellington on Monday night, fully loaded with general cargo, did not reach Lyttelton until yesterday morning, having been delayed by the southerly gale. After landing her inward freight, she shipped a full cargo for Picton, for which port she sailed late last night. FLORA'S CARGO OF COAL. The Union Company's collier Flora, which has been laid up in the stream for over a month, was brought in to No. 3 wharf at 1 p.m., and occupied the berth vacated by the Eani, which has finished discharging her cargo of timber and which is now undergoing her annual survey and overhaul. The Flora will start discharging this morning with new unionists. The Kini was shifted to a berth at the low-level breastwork. The Karamu finished coaling the Remuera yesterday afternoon, and was berthed at No. 1 breastwork. The Karamu and the Kowhai will bunker the ferry steamers as required. The Flora also has a quantity of bunker coal on board. BREEZE FOR PICTON AND WANGANUI. Another arrival yesterday morning was the Canterbury Steam Shipping Co.'s steamer Breeze, from Oamaru. She loaded part cargo down south, and filled up at Lyttelton for Picton and \V_riganui. She sailed last night. Other departures yesterday were the Himitangi, with a full cargo for Wellington, and the Cygnet, fully loaded for Akaroa. MARERE IN THE STREAM. The lyser Line steamer Marere left the wharf at 6.30 yesterday morning, and went out to an anchorage in the stream. The vessel is bound to Dunedin, biit as there is "no discharging berth available at that port at present, the Marere will remain in the stream at Lyttelton, probably until this afternoon*, before proceeding south. RIMUTAKA SAILS FOR BLUFF. Punctually at noon, the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Rimutaka left th© wharf and sailed for Bluff and • Wellington to complete loading for London. Daring her stay at Lyttelton, j the g-Mutaka, which ___rted work last j

Tuesday week, landed 1700 tons of general cargo, and loaded nearly 11,000 boxes of butter, 2000 bales of wool, and also cheese, meat, and general produco. At Bluff and Wellington she will ship a large quantity of dairy produce, and will be a full ship when she sails finally from Wellington on the 11th inst. for London. SHIPS IN PORT. "The fleet of ships in harbour yesterday morning was as follows:— No. 2 wharf: Wahine, Kowhai, Cygnet. No. 3 wharf: Himitangi, Victoria. No. 4 wharf: Rimutaka, Kini, Flora. No. 5 wharf: Canopus. No. 6 wharf: Remuera, Karamu, and Titania. No. 7 wharf: Corinthic, Breeze, Wootton. Gladstone Pier: H.M.S. Pyramus, Storm s_>.; schooners Eliza Firth, Aratapti, Eunice, Lily, Annie Hill. No. 1 breastwork: To Anau. In the stream: Kaitangata, Marere. MORE STEAMERS COMING. The Wanaka arrived last night from Wellington, after a long and stormy trip. She has a part cargo of sugar •and other goods from Auckland to land, and will go on to Dunedin and Bluff to-day. The Kittawa, from Auckland, via Wellington, will arrive here to-mor-row to discharge sugar. Sho will go on to Dunedin, and will return north next week to load for Nelson and New Plymouth. The Pukaki will leave Auckland at noon to-day for Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. The Kaiapoi will arrive at Lyttelton about the loth inst., to load a full cargo of produco for Auckland direct. The U.S. and A. Line steamer Sturmfels, from New York, left Wellington at 3 p.m. yesterday, and will arrive at Lyttelton this morning to land 700 tons [of general cargo. The Hercules, from Bunbnry, via Wellington, will arrive at Lyttelton to-morrow morning to land 800,000 feet of jarrah. The Tokomaru, from Montreal, is transhipping 482 tons of general cargo at Wellington for Lyttelton. Other oversea steamers due at Lyttelton during the next few days aro the New Zealand Shipping Company's Turakina from London, via Dunedin, and the Arawa from London, via Wellington. THE NEW UNION GROWING. The new Arbitration Union of Waterside Workers is still growing in numbers, and yesterday morning 210 members were at work. Several vessels were shorthanded until after the departure of the Rimutaka, when the vacancies were filled by the men who had been working on that ship. _ The Corinthic and Remuera will be sailing to-morrow for Auckland and Napier respectively, and there will be no difficulty in working the port with the present number of unionists. AFTERNOON TEA FOR "SPECIALS." Yesterday afternoon a large party of Christchurch and Lyttelton young ladies entertained the "specials" on the waterfront at afternoon tea. Tho function was most successful, the afternoon being fine .and calm, and the men greatly appreciated the kindness of their lady friends. LYTTELTON QUIET. Away from the waterfront matters in Lyttelton are very quiet and uneventful. The strikers and unemployed seamen and firemen continue to hold their meetings daily in the Oddfellows' Hall, whither they march in procession every morning. A. number of the single men left Lyttelton yesterday to go into the strikers' camp at Papanui. The hotels were again open yesterday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., but trade was very quiet. The town is most orderly, and a number of special constables have left the j_jort. A strong force of about 150 mounted men and 200 foot "specials" is being retained in Lyttelton.