SHIPPING CONGESTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2147, 8 July 1920, Page 3

SHIPPING CONGESTION.

CHAMBER OP COMMERCE COMPLAINT.

Difficulties and congestion of local shipping, especially to East Coast ports, have been engaging the attention of the BVllington Chamber of Commerce for some time past (says the Post). The secretary (Mr 11. D. Vickery) initiated correspondence Avilh Messrs Richardson and Co., Ltd., of Napier, oAvners of the steamer Ripple, the chief vessel employed in the trade. For many months past, during the time the Ripple has been receiving cargo, (here has been .a long queue of earls with goods awaiting shipment, and in many eases not only is the cartage “Availing” lime very costly to shippers, Iml often they are unable, even after sending goods doAvn, to obtain shipment, owing to luck of space in the steamer. The Chamber suggested that the company might see its way to put on the Pntiki, recently purchased, or a similar boat, to take cargo for Napier and Gisborne from B’ollington. If a Aveokly service Avcro not possible, Avonld it he feasible lo arrange a fortnightly service?

The reply of Ihe shipping company Avas as follows; — “B’c quite realise lhal, at the present lime, the Ripple is unable lo cope with the cargo offering for Napier and Gisborne, and it was (his fact avc had in mind when purchasing the Pntiki, as wc realised we would need a boat of her type to help out the Ripple Avith the freighting. B’hen the Pntiki has completed her overhaul, Avhieh should he towards the end of July, avc anticipate no difficulty from then on in keeping the Napier and Gisborne cargo cleared. Your suggestion that if there was insufficient cargo to run the Pntiki a Aveekly service, (lion to arrange a fort nightly service, is a good one, and immediately our present accumulation of cargo is cleared avc shall endeavour to put this into effect..” In the discussion lhal followed the reading of (he correspondence, Captain Petersen, representing the Harbour Board on the council, allriImted some of the blame lo the merchants and shippers themselves. If they carried out the regulations as laid down by I he shipping companies and the Harbour Board, the congestion Avonld he materially relieved. A suggestion Avas nlso made that coastal shipping companies should adopt Ihe practice of only taking cargo the boat-notes for which had been stamped at (he shipping olliee. The feasibility of this was doubted, and the proposal lapsed. It was (lien resolved lhal the Importers’ Committee he asked lo arrange, a special meeting, at which shipping clerks and Harbour Hoard officials should he invited lo a I tend, lo discuss the question of receiving cargo at B'ellington Avharves for coastal ports.