HANDLING CARGO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2725, 21 March 1916, Page 8

HANDLING CARGO

' MOIBH METHODS

THE QUESTION OF STORAGE

The subjects of the handling and storing of cargo were touched oil by Mr. C. E. Darnell yesterday at the annual meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board. 5 Mr. Daniell said:—

I "A recent resolution, directing the engineer to report re improved appliances, calls attention to an important matter whicli has had close attention throughout; the year. The hydraulic power, which has been such a successful feature of the board's, plant, while ad- ' mirably suited for wharf work, is. not so suitable for work within the sheds. The successful use of electric cranes in the more recently-erected sheds has demonstrated the value of improved appliances. In the wool sheds, for instance, notes taken show that it is possible to save pence por bale, and when it is realised that, one penny ptjr hale saved means over £500 to the board, the importance'of the question is seen. 1 Or, further, to compare the work done., in the new Pipitea shed,' equipped with electric cranes, and the work done in other sheds, will convince anyone of the economy in labour. But an almrist more important fact is the reduced risk of damage to goods in sorting, stacking, and loading, as also the more complete use of the floor spaco available. "Wellington's success as/a central distributing port will increasingly depend on its shed accommodation and appliances; We have -already some nine acres of floor space in the various sheds, and improved equipment will largely increase the value of this area. Plans are already well forward for improvements in several of the sheds, x.

"The detail handling of goods is capable. of much improvement, and improved machinery will not do all that is wanted. For instance, watch the produce of our country being handled hy men on and off the wharves. Take cases of cheese, each worth, gsay, £5, being thrown about as though no one'had interest in thP' article;■ the number of broken cases is- unreasonable. Or, noto the .pell-mell heaps of butter-boxes as they are gathered'into the net . hoisted by the cranes.- Do we realise that every citizen is a sufferer in the fact that if our - products fail to bring their highest value, then less money comes into the countrv; and it is certain that "a,bruised aitlelfl of food in a damaged I case is a depreciated asset. Or, take note of the.cases of apples fan industry in its infancy, hut capable of big things); he must bo a sanguine _ man who could hope ■ to see fruit arrive in fair- condition in England, or even 'in America, after watching the handling of. cases on and„o(f the hoats. We can improve matters, but it will require the common-sense co-oneration of workmen, stovedores, and shipowners. As a nuhlio hody, the Harbour Board must lend the way, and I trust that j\fr. Marchbank's efforts to design appliances will be seconded by air who handle goods committed to our care. .

"Special stores: The full .use made of the cheese store during tho year has warranted tliß board in increasing and improving tho accommodation, as is now being done. ' The co-operation of the 'Agricultural Department made it possible to safer business lines than was experienced in tlie -wool trade, where there apnears to be a tendency to'use the hoard's sheds for emergenoy rather than regular business. _ In tho matter of special storage, inquiries are being made by interested parties, its to provision possible for apple industry. On tho other hand, it is a Question whether tho nrovisiou of a bonded "store by the board is now necessary. The site now occupied is especially valuable. The mose comfortable housing:of the office staff is an urgent necessity for efficient administration ;'. hence it is suggested that the 'bonded store' building can be put to a better than its present use. Plans were prepared some time since showing how iv was possible to . adapt the building. _ The question will need early attention." ,