SCENE AT THE WHARF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2120, 1 July 1907, Page 2

SCENE AT THE WHARF.

Considerable diversion was afforded to tli-oso present at tho wharf last n ifiht when tho Squall wan coming alongside. There wore botwoou twenty and thirty lookers-on and uomo wore not in tho host of humors because they had boon kept a long time for the racehorses which arrived by tho Tnrawora from Auckland. 1 110 boat was in tho Huy at 2.d9 P-m., but it was ton p.m. before tho first horse was on tho wharf, Tho owners concerned and others interested wore incensed at tho delay, which they considered quite unnecessary, and. were somewhat liberal in their cntlCisins of Gisborno, the placo, the port, the facUitios, the “harbor,” the liurbornmiterT and anything that was unfortunate onougli to incur their_ displeasure. Tho -onlookers- hackly scented fun browing and aJ u»ning firo of “advice” and comment was exchanged with tho crows of tho Squall and Tawera. Tho latter vessel having the lighter Ruru ,in tow, became- entangled with tho Squall and a collision might very easily have occurred. As it was the boats were several times almost touching. Tlio Squall was first in the river entrance and was abreast of the wharf at 9.20 followed closely by tho tug and the lighter. As tlio steamer commenced to slew round, tho tide carried the lighter round lior stern and apparently confusion reigned for a. while. Captain Benton of the Union boat, could not reverse his engines, because he would liavo collided with the lighter. Ho stated, to a Times ro- ■ porter, that the Tawera should not i have pulled in tho slack at such a ■ time. It should have been dono before or after passing Ins vesSol. Gap- : tain Robinson of the tug, was of the l opinion that tho Squall should not ■ have slowed round at nil, but waited

until tho following morning. A breeze took place between an owner and the harbormaster while the latter was busy with tho Squall, struggling to get berthed. Captain Cuming retorted - sharply nnd advisod him to have less to say. He would not holp matters and tee would not tolerate such . remarks. Seven and a half hours’ wait, seemed to try tho patience of the visitor, but ‘eventually ho viewed the situation with a resigned toleration, oontenting himsolf with the reflection that all things came to ail end. The fawora drew off and liorthed just above the Tuatea, while the Squall was tied up at 9.45. Tho crowd then moved up to see the horses landed and were again entertained, as most of the animals gave trouble. Bonomiana, in particular, was very' difficult to manage and breaking away from control, careered up and down tlio hold. With regard to tlie time taken in lightering, the Captain of the Tawera stated he had a full cargo to go aboard the Tarawera and this had to bo hoisted up before the horses could bo lowered. Tho Auckland boat had about. 70 tons cargo consisting of island fruit, sugar and general merI chandise. .