TRAFFIC BLOCKS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3156, 7 August 1917, Page 6

TRAFFIC BLOCKS

POSITION APPRECIATED BY UNION CO.

Apparently very little call be done to relieve the serious congestion which occurs on the wharves when a coastal vessel is loading. In a letter read at yesterday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. A. Kennedy, local manager for the Union Company, stated: "We fully realise the inconvenience to which shippers are subjected by reason of the circumstances to which you refer, and do all possible to minimise this, but there are undoubtedly serious difficulties in the way of putting matters on an entirely satisfactory basis. It will be evident to you that it is necessary to keep clear the space on the wharf abreast of the vessel's hatchways in order to prevent the discharge of inward cargo being hampered, and, as the floor space between the sheds and the ship is restricted, the stacking of outward cargo in the places most convenient to the hatchways is not capable of being carried out with the celerity which is desired, and as a result a congestion of carts 011 tho wharves occurs. A feature which contributes to this position is that shippers. being aware of the limited space available in our cargo steamers, appear to make it an endeavour to get their shipments down early, on the principle of 'time come first served.' This is quite a natural feeling for them to have, but, as I liavc indicated, it does not tend to avoid the congestion which must inevitably occur under tho circumstances mentioned. . The matter is one which lins given us much concern, and wo would willingly do anything possible to remedy flic trouble, but. owing to our restricted tonnage, the difficulties in our way are very formidable. You may rely," however, upon our best efforts being used tD remove as far as possible the disadvantages under which shippers are labouring." . The Chamber also received an extract rropt a report of the Harbour Board's Traffic Manager, in which the latter stated that he could malrs siifrestions in regard to the present difficulty.