Auckland Wharves Still Remain Idle

Chronicle (Levin), 15 August 1949, Page 5

Auckland Wharves Still Remain Idle

Fress Assoeiation )

(Per

AUCKLAND, August 14. Auckland 's wharves were closed to the public on Baturdai'- morning as a check against the activities of waterside worker pickets near ships, They will remain closed until fuTther nnt'ee and adniission wib be given onlv to persons legitimately engaged on ship-. ping business. The port congestion has increased since waterfront work came to a standstill on Thursday as a re^E of the overtimo dispute seven overseas cargo ships are now at anchor in Ihe stream waiting for berths. A few carriers taking cargo from sheds, worked on the wharves on Baturday morning and people connecteO with shinping moved to and from their vessehs throngh the weekend. " The Port Line motorship, Port Auckland, which has been opened for public inspection everv weekend sinee her arrival, was deserted, Many families came to the wharf gates but wrere turned back. Attendance at the St. John Ambulance Brigade competition in the Nfw Zealand Shipping Company 's motorship Hororata at Queen's wharf on Saturdav afternoon, was restrieted to members of the brigade. The gate at the Central wharf giving access to the wharf Inbour engagement bureau, will be opened this morning to give unionists the opnortunitv of lifting their emplorment discs whieh will be displayed on boards outside the bureau every morning, to ofFer emplovmont to men willing to accept night OA'ertime. More than 70,000 tons of cargo for consignees in the Auckland province, are held in overseas and coastal ships at the Auckland waterfront or at anchor in the stream. An additional 20,000 tons ,is awaited af southern ports. Toinorrow morning therc will be 18 overseas ships in port, seven of them at anchor. One anchored ship. the tanker British Gratitude, will berth about noon tomorrow to discharge petrol. With the exception of the food ship Port Auckland, all overseas froighters idle at Auckland have cargo to discharge. The shipments range from steel and phosphate to wheat, sugar and general merc.handise. In adition to overseas ships, there are 11 intercolonia] and large coastal vessels in port. T]ie Kairanga is waiting to lparl southern cargo and most of the others have cargo. to land, * _