WORK ON THE WATERFRONT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 8

WORK ON THE WATERFRONT.

NEW UNION 1930 STRONG. HOME BOATS' MOVEMENTS.' 14 NEW ARRIVALS TO-BAY* MORE MEN WANTED. Forty new members signed on the books of the now union on Saturday, thus bringing tho total up to 1930. Over l-iOO men were working on tho waterfront during tho day, and several gangs worked far into the night on the Aorangi, Tahiti, and Kia Ora. There are about 200 Arbitrationists at sea, and fully 300 of tho original members of tho union have gono back to their homes in tho country. This leaves tho actual working strength of tho union at present at 1430.

Scenes About the Wharves. From early morning till late at niglit the rattle of winches could bo heard round tho waterfront. It was an-ex-ceptionally busy day for all concerned. Tho only trouble was that the 1400 men employed wero not enough to do all tho tasks which were offering, Tho King's, Glasgow, and Queen's Wharves presented exceptionally . busy scenes. The Aorangi and Arawa wero berthed at the first-mentioned wharf, and both steamers wero being worked in capital stylo.. Tho Union Company's officers who came across as deckhands by tho Aorangi, returned to Sydney by tho Tahiti on Saturday evening. Several .members of tho "scratch" crew signed off here, and their places were filled by seamen, who produced duly authenticated discharges. The men are anxious to reach tho Pacific slope. Down below, qualified firemen hare taken the places of tho inexperienced ones, who had worked well on the run from Sydney to Wellington. Before she left for ( San Francisco, tho Aorangi loaded a. largo quantity of merchandise at this port. On tho opposite side of the wharf tho Arawa's London cargo was being put out in good time.

Loading Homo Liners. Similar scenes of animation wero to bo seen at tho Glasgow Wharf. Hero tho Shaw-Sa.vill steamer Kia Ora- and the Tyser linor Nercliana wero berthed. Both these vessels wore loading wool, hemp, frozen meat, butter, cheese, etc. When tho Arbitrationists left the Kia Ora on Saturday night she was a full ship in every department, and departure was taken for London early yesterday morning. Tho Kia Ora is tho third oversea steamer to leave Wellington for London sinco the striko began on October 22, and tho Nerehana, which is expected to sail to-morrow, will be tho fourth. Tho work of loading this particular vessel is proceeding satisfactorily. Somo thousands of carcasses of mutton and pieces of beef have yet- to bo put on board. The local agents for the vessel expressed their pleasure on Saturday with tho manner in which tho work had. been carried out.

The Tahiti finished discharge of her San Francisco and Island freight, and continued Iter journey to Sydney on Saturday evening. All day long the mon engaged in handling her cargo were kept busy, and excellent progress was made. At various other wharves numerous coastal vessels v.-ere either loading or discharging their freights. The Work far To-day. There will bo 32 vessels at tho wharves to-day, and 14 of them will bo new arrivals. Tho hitter include the Huddart--I'nrker steamer Victoria, tho Wahine, llipple, Stormbird, Cygnet, Kennedy) Ngatoro {from Newcastle), Queen of the South, Ilawera, Aoicre, Kahu, Kaiapoi, Waipori (from Newcastle), and Holmdale. The Ferry Company's steamer Admiral will land gear, ex tho Devon, at tlio King's Wharf. Tho Ripple and Kahu wero anchored at Wellington for some timo after tlio striko had been declared. Subsequently they went to tho coast and Napier. Messrs. Johnston, and Go. announce ■ that both theso steamers have been recommissioned, and also that they will take up their regular schedule running from to-morrow. j

Two colliers, Ngatoro and Waipori, are bound hero from Newcastle.- Tho Ngatoro is expected to have a full load, but on account of somo trouble at Newcastle, it is anticipated that tho Waipori will only be three-parts loaded, l'lio vessels aro expected to show up here either to-day or to-morrow morning. '