SHIPPING NOTES FROM HOME.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1921, Page 3

SHIPPING NOTES FROM HOME.

SCARCITY OF OUTWARD CARGO. LONDON, March 11 What with lack of cargo at this end, and the strikes and ca’canny methods in New Zealand, the scarcity of refrigerated space from the Dominion to the United Kingdom is not likely to be greatly relieved for some time. A special effort was made, however, by the New Zealand Shipping Company to turn the Remuera, with the result that she got away again in what is record time in these days—but practically in ballast. Extra accommodation for thirdclass passengers was erected in spite ot the joiners’ strike. At the present time there is a certain congestion of frozen meat accommodation] which is causing a hold-up in the London docks, hut this is likely to lie only temporary. Indeed, of the Shaw, Savill fleet the Corinthic, the Wnimana, and the Tainui, have all recently gone out in ballast owing to the urgent demand for refrigerated space Homeward. Now that the trouble with the waterside workers seems to have been settled in New Zealand no doubt the vessel so long held up out there will get away, hut the effects will he felt seriously at this end. As the steamers will arrive here all in a hunch, the difficulty of turning them and finding outward cargoes will be greatly increased, ’ further delay will he the remit. JOINERS’ STRIKE. The joiners’ strike, which seems to have settled down into a permanency, has a direct effect upon the New Zealand companies’ vessels, as under present circumstances it is practically impossible to arrange for the fitting-up of third-class accommodation for the extra passengers, except by sending tbe vessels to European ports. In some cases, this lias already been done, but in the case of the Tainui, which sailed this week, only tbe permanent thirdclass accommodation is being used, and this will he the ease with the Corinthic, which sails on the 24th of Afarch. The Kia Ora, which was badly damaged during the war, has been undergoing repairs, but some weeks ago repairs reached that stage where the services of joiners were needed. No joiners being available the vessel remains in dock for the time being. THE S.S. AIAAIARI. An Australian cargo has been acquired for the Shaw, Savill steamer Mamari. and she will leave for Australian ports at the end of the month, proceeding thence to New Zealand. CONTRACTS GOING TO THE CONTINENT. As a result of the joiner/ strike the Mauretania, which had been waiting for several months at Southampton for repairs, has left the port for Cherbourg, where the reconditioning of the vessel will he carried out. A large sum in wages is thus lost to the town, llns is not the first big contract which has gone from Southampton elsewhere in consequence of the strike. A few days ago the work of overhauling a passenger liner went to Amsterdam, and Southampton lost 660,000 in wages. ■ It was then reported that a larger contract, for over 6100.000, was also likely to go to Holland, and several smaller vessels have had to leave the port because of the impossibility ot getting the necessary renovations done. Hundreds of skilled workmen aie affected, although not directly concern in the dispute. GERMAN ENTERPRISE. Much interest now surrounds the employment of two large ex-German steamers —the Crostafels and Goldenfels | w hich were among those delivered by j Germany to the Reparations Commission under the terms of the Peace , Treaty. These steamers, of 4000 tons j and 7400 tons respectively, were originally employed in the services of the Hansa Line of Germany. It is understood that tlu- steamers have now been chartered to the Bruce Line, and are in order, no doubt, to assist in the reestablishment of the services of the Hanxa Line, which, before the war, traded largely between Germany and India. ’The first Hansa Line vessel to reopen the German service was recently reported to have arrived at Calcutta, from Germany, and carried, it is understood, the Hansa Line superintendent, who was resident at Calcutta before the war.