THE UNLOCKED PORT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 8

THE UNLOCKED PORT.

TWENTY-NINE SHIPS TO,DAY. ONLY SIX m STREAM.. ROLL OF NEW UNION 1150. THOUSAND MEN WORK. / SHED CONGESTION RELIEVED. At 5 p.m. yesterday the membership of tho new Wellington Arbitrationist Union totalled 1100. Over TO men signed on during tho day; 30 of whom were ex-strikors. Several of the new workers had come up from southern and Vest Coast ports. There were 1000 men at, work on tho wharves during the afternoon, 100 of whom, it is stated, wont out on striko with tlio rest of the watersiders on October 2.3. Several of the new men who had spent the week-end in the country returned to duty, and others aro expeoted' to-day. According to a well-known labour foreman, yesterday morning's additions included sevon of tho best coal-workers in Wellington.

Old Malcontent Ejected. One member of the new union, who evidently did not want work, was discharged, and placed outside the gates. He happened to be one of the old strikers. His original pass had been taken from him, but lie subsequently returned and obtained' another from the Harbour Board. When asked what, he had done with his former pass, ho replied that ho had lost it. Some time later on tho samo person eame to the wharf gates and demanded entrance. He was asked to produce liis pass, and again replied! that ho had lost it. The official who had issued the two passes happened to bo near the gates, with the result that the striker wa.s escorted off t]ie wharf once more. All lost passes a'ro recognisable, and anyone presenting them will bo subject 'to a penalty. Despite tho fact that practically every man in tho union was working "yesterday, tlicro was not enough labour. It is estimated' that, with another 250 members, the union would bo on a basis strong enough to carry out all cargo operations permanently. ' n

No More Reign of Terror, An informal meeting of the new union was held last evening. The secretary (Mr. W. 0. Long) addressed tho men. In the course of his remarks he stated that tho new union was willing to open its membership to dny man who wanted to work on the waterfront. At tho same time they were strong enough to stand alone now. And as for tho old union, everyone knew that ample time had beon given them to make up their minds. In some instances tho offer had been accepted, and if the remainder of tho strikers did not como back during the courso of a day or so they would not bo wanted. More men were to bo brought down- from tho country, and every vacancy would now bo quickly filled. Thoso members of the new union who resided in Wellington, and who had been in tlio habit of living on board various steamors, wero advised to "go home to sleep." Tlio Government had (promised adecjuato protection to audi workers ; their property also. If any man was intimidated ho was advised to report at once to tho secretary, and the information would bo seut along to the Justice Department. The reason why tho city men had been asked, to vacate their temporary lodgings was because of tho fact that more, men wero coming in from tho country,'and lodgings hau\to bo found for thorn.

Goal and Sugar Landed. Handling cargo proceeded at splendid Saco yesterday. People who have been oing business on the waterfront for many years stated that they had never seen tho wharves so busy. With tho exception of ono or two vessels, all the steamers in port, numbering 30, were working. Over at tho King's Wharf hundreds of tons of merchandise ex' Remuora wore to be seen on tho wharves and in tho sheds. Tho Tvsor freighter Nerohana was being loaded in good stylo at the Glasgow Wharf. Discharge of tho Wairuna'B coal continued, and the work of unloading tho Poherua was 'commenced. The Kamona, which has been in tho stream since November 21, came alongside, and a start will ho mado to put out her coal to-day. Shortly after 4 p.m. tlio Ennerdalc was berthed at the wool wharf, and t'he work of discharging 1000 tons of sugar' was eommwiced.

Procession of 45 Vehicles. At tho Queen's Wharf a constantstream of lorrios, carts, and expresses wore to bo seen making their way with merchandise. At ono time during the afternoon as many as 45 vehicles wero counted. So great was tlio. call for shipping goods that somo of tho carts which had entered tho gates at 10 a.m. did not get rid of their loads till nearly 4 p.m. It is estimated that when the Pukaki sails for cast coast ports and Auckland to-day she- will talco away close on 1300 tons of cargo. Good progress has been made towards clearing tho sheds. When tho post office chimes belled tho hour of iivo almost all tho town cargo had been dolivered. There was also a noticeable reduction in tho amount of transhipments. Several of the coastal steamers havo been loaded, and this operation has relieved tho sheds a good deal. Thoso sheds which aro near tho berths where tho Corinthic and Mimiro aro lying have also been reasonably cleared.

To-day's Berthage List. To-day promises to bo another busy ono on the waterfront. In addition to several 'of tho vessels which wero working yesterday the Shaw, Savill lino Arawa (from London) will berth at tho King's Wharf to discharge. Another Homo boat—tho New Zealand Shipping Company's Opawa will also bo at the Glasgow Wharf to finish loading for London. It is anticipated that she will be ready to tal;e her departure this week. Now coastwise cargo carriers at the wharves wiji bo: Patcena, Corinna, Opawa, Ivapuni, Blenheim, Huia, and Nikau. Altogether, twenty-nine vessels will bo berthed to-day, exclusive of ferry steamers, tugs, and hulks. Of this number only one steamer—tho Mararoa —will not be working. Tho berthing list for to-day is as follows :—

Tons Tons. Corintliic ... 12,231 Poherua 1,175 licmuera 11,276 Ennertiaio ... 1,147 Omiwa 10,000 l'ataem 1,212 Arawa 9.372 Melbourne ... 1,111 Nerohana ... 6,533 Nikau _ 248 Mftrcro 6.433 Stormbird ... 217 Mimiro 6.255 Haw«ra 200 Wairuna 3,947 Queen of tiio Hercules 3.789 South 198 jVioori 3,399 Moa 168 Mnrarofb 2,598 Ktlnmii 150 Kaianoi MM Huia 127 Pukaki 1.444 Plenheim 120 Kamona 1.4K Opawa 110 Corinna ...... 1.271 Aore*e 77 There aro only six of the vessels which havo been thrown idle on account of tho striko out in the stream at present. They aro the Kaitoa, Ngnhere, Awahou, Waiiine, Lizzie Taylor, and Kapiti. Tlio other vessels lying at anchor aro the Tutanekai, Amoknra, Takapumi, and Ilaupiri. H.M.S. Pyramns is also anchored in tho stream.