PORT DAY BY DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 6

PORT DAY BY DAY.

SHEDS TAKING IN THE WOOL.

BIGHT ALMOST EMPTY. THE WATERSIDE ROLL--1691. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. yesterday 50 men signed on tho books of tho new Waterside Workers' Union. Tho day's signatories totalled 91. At 5 o'clock tlio roil disclosed 1691 names. -About 30 men from tho country, who had gone homo to their farms for a week, returned during tho day. Up till lunch timo work was available for 1300 moil, hut after tlio Mapourika and soino of tho smaller coastal steamers departed about 40 men wero idlo. Of the original roll of tho union some. 200 members are noiv at sea, manning ships, and about- 200 men havo'returned to their homes in t-lio country. A well-known wharf-officer informed Tin; Dominion" representative yc-sterday that over 200 ex-strikers wero now engaged on tho wharves, A score of splendid coal workers havo also tired of the strike, and resumed their employmerit. ''This shrike reminds roe of tho latter end of the striko in 1S!)0," was a remark that fell yesterday frGm ono who had been through it. "As was tho case t.hen this strike is very much on the droop, and tho nien who went out must, realise that. Do you know," he continued, "some of the men who went out in the striko of 18Q0 could not get work for over twelve months afterwards? Their positions were filled just- asi they are being filled daily now." The Meal and Bed Tickets. Watersido workers' tickets, 'entitling the holder to meals and a bed in X shed and on tho Mararoa, seem-to ho in demand. Tlio new rulo that workers aro required to pay sixpence for each meal and bed caino into operation yesterday. The total cost of tlio day's living is thus about 14s. per week. Considering the quality and quantity of tho food, tho cuisine, and table service, the stun charged is recognised as very reasonable, and no complaint lias been mado. The men apparently realise that freo food and lodgings for sueli a large number could not bo continued indefinitely.

The Working Fleet. To-day's berthage list, consisting of 20 vessels, three of which will uoi i>o working cargo, is as follows:— Tons. Tons. '""fa 9,372 Pntecna 1,212 »->«• Ora, 6,£60 Awaiiou 409 Xukomaru 6.233 Arapawa" 263 fitiirmfcls ....... 5,700 Nikau 248 Canml.% Capo... 4,286 Queeo of tlio Here,lies ..: 3.789 South 19(1 Mararns. 2.593 Moa ISB Wana&a 2,442 Wootton 154 ivatoa- 2.4C0 Huia. 127 Jf.Jt.H. Psycho. 2,135 Mfliiaroa 122 Kamona. 1.425 Falcon '.. 95 rohcraa 1,173 Tho Aravra camo in to tho Kind's Wharf about a week ago, but it was only yesterday that she was able to begin discharge. Four other oversea steamers—Sturnifols, Tokonmru, Hercules, and Canada Cape—also had full gangs working all day. First-class progress was made, and one hatch on tho Canada Cape was finished last, evening. Ths Union Company's Wannka, -which arrived in port with transhipments and Auckland cargo 011 Sunday, worked two gangs. Sho was lying at the Queen's Wharf No. 1 north. As soon as tho sheds aro reasonably clear of town cargo, more gangs will bo put on—probably to-day. Coast freighters were lifting and discharging yesterday. Since the Kapit-i was brought in from tho stream, and loaded and dispatched for Wanganui, Kaiwarra Right is empty as far as the "mosquito" boats go. • "The Golden Fleece." Largo quantities of wool aro being received at tho Harbour Hoard's sheds. "K" shed will be opened for tho firsttime this season to-day. Pressing and stacking aro going ahead and tiers of dumped wool are ready for shipment. Plenty of seamen scorn to be offering, and some of tho vessois requiring crews could have, been manned twice over. If it is found that, 011 her arrival on Thursday, the Aorangi requires men to tako her from Wellington to San Francisco, there will be more than a fully-qualified crew waiting to step 011 board.

Ships Off Kaiwarra. Kaiwarra Bight is now wearing a lonely look. Only six vessels iiro anchored there now, and theso include three vessels which wero out of commission prior to tho strike. Tho only vessels really affected aro the Maori, Arahura, arid Lizzie Taylor. Four new arrivals—Kia Ora, Patcena, Nikau, and Awaliou —are duo in port to-day. Tho Kia Ora is duo hero from Picton to absorb London cargo. The other three are coastal steamers.