PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1920, Page 6

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

CONGESTION AT THE WHARF The need for speedy improvement of berthage at the port, of New Plymouth has been accentuated during this week as well as the need for additional labor. Yesterday morning there were five vessels at the wharf, some of them having been there for several days waiting to discharge, the rain and the labor problem having prevented • operations being commenced on them. The Ngatoro arrived here last Saturday night with a. cargo of cement and general merchandise, and she has not yet been discharged. On Tuesday the Rarawa was in, and of course had to be worked, and the Mapourika and Huia also arrived from Wellington, and in addition there was the Glaucue at the wharf with a cargo of guano to unload. Yesterday it was decided to concentrate labor on the Ngatoro in order to clear her cargo and allow her to get away so as to have the berth clear for the Rarawa this morning. The rain, however, hindered the work, and the vessel could not be discharged, and in consequence of this the Mapourika, whose hatches had not then been opened, was taken out into the roadstead to await the departure of the Ngatoro or the Rarawa to-day. No attempt has yet Ibeen made to discharge benzine cargo from the Huia, though it is hoped to do this to-day, A shortage of railway trucks has also militated against the expeditious handling of inward cargo. Next week two vessels are due to load cheese for transhipment at Wellington, and a coal cargo is due from the West Coast, so that matters at the port will be fairly strenuous for some days yet.