CONGESTION AT PORT

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28264, 30 April 1957, Page 12

CONGESTION AT PORT

Shortage Of Labour A shortage of berths and labour has caused a temporary delay in the loading and unloading of the 20 ships now in port at Lyttelton. Four ships were without labour yesterday and two were without berths. The Kainpi was out in the stream, and the Edenbank was temporarily tied at the oil wharf. Two ships loading scrap iron for Japan, the San Roberto (formerly the Waipiata) and the South Breeze, which were delayed in arrival at their berths, were inconvenienced by the shortage of labour. The San Roberto was attempting to load with its Chinese crew. Easing Unlikely Because of the large number of ships due to berth, the position is not expected to ease before the end of the month. “All ships have been troubled by a shortage of labour and some delay must be expected,” said the assistant district manager of the Railways Department (Mr W. N. Rathburn). “The Railways Department anticipated no trouble with waggon supply, although the situation may take some time to right itself. Quite a number of ships, of up to 4000 tons, are due before the end of April. It appears that we will be kept busy finding cargo and shed accommodation. “The same position must apply to carrying organisations. At the moment carriers may be faced with the discharge of 1200 tons of prefabricated girders for hydro-electric works,” Mr Rathburn said.