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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 5, 6 August 1874, Page 2

# • — The settlers on Inch Clutha and the neighboring districts have experienced great annoyance, and have had good cause for complaint through the irregularity and inefficiency of the coastal service with Dunedin during the past season. It appears that formerly this service was conducted by the Harbor Company's boats, and then the requirements of the district were studied,. and the service gave general satisfaction. In the commencement of this season, | however, Mr J. F, Reid, owner of the Lady of the Lake, laid that steamer upon the trade and reduced the freight from £1, which was the charge made by the Harbor Company, to 15s. As this charge was below a remunerative figure the company withdrew their boats from , the trade, leaving the Lady of the Lake | "master of the fleJd." This was evidently the object aimed at by Mr Reid, and no sooner were, the other boats withdrawn, than he raised the freight to 25s a ton ! i But this is not the principal ground of complaint, although it can only be regarded as a very questionable-trick. No regard whatever is- said to be now had to the requirements of the district,*.or i the convenience of the settlers ; the interests and convenience of the proprietor of the steamer being, alone studied. After the ;produce is sold; to Durir • edin merchants, it is generally carted to the river bank for shipment, and it has been no uncommon occurrence for it to be allowed to lay there for sis or eight weeks before it suited the convenience of the owner of the steamer to take it round. In this time it has of course been much damaged by wet, vermin, and otherwise. From this cause, besides the disappointment to both purchaser and seller, the deterioration in value has frequently ' amounted to from 3d. to 4d: a bushel for wheat ; and in the case of at least one parcel of potatoes the deterioration amounted to \£l a ton. It would appear that ' Mr i Reid is himself a pphaser .on commisf' mofagrieidturarprodUce,anditis said at while his purchases are promptlyremoved, those of others, although haying been nruch longer waiting for transmission, have^bee-d left, behind.; A considerable quantity of produce at pre-, sent lays on the river bank, and may

do so for many* weeks .to come. Such a state of matters cannot be allowed to exist. Prompt and united action on the part of the. settlers of the district would no doubt lead to a remedy, and such action should at once be adopted.