VESSELS IN DISTRESS

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 4

VESSELS IN DISTRESS

AN INTERESTING POINT. An interesting point cropped Tip at tbo monthly meeting of the Wellington Harbour board last evening in connection with an application by tlio New Zealand Shipping Co,, Ltd., for remission of port charges on the steamers Poparoa and Kaikoura. The Paparoa came, in to coal, and took stevedores on board during the time sho was ill the harbour. Tho Kai-, koura was waiting outside to tako stevedores from a teuder, but as tho wer.thcr was rough she camo insido tho Heads. Iα this latter casa the shipping company claimed exemption under the by-law dealwith "vessels in distress." The chairman (Mr. B. Flctclicr) informed tho meeting'that tho board'* solicitors had advised that tho port charges were correctly made. Ho moved "that the board cannot accede to the request." Mr. C. W. Jones said that the lawyers' opinion was serious, but lawyers were not always infallible. lie considered it wn« an abuse of English to describe wharf labourers as passengers and stretching the by-laws to make tho charges. He considered it was sharp practice, and that no private trading company would do such n. tiling. In spite of the lawyers' opinion, ho thought thev would bo quite safe in remitting the charges. Mi , . R. C. lienner considered that the board was not bound by the strict letter of the law. Ho thought this was a case where discretion should be exereisod. Mr. J. E. jpilzgcrald remarked that the chairman was no dcubt riprht in the attitude, ho had taken, but there, seemed to bo extenuating circumstances in (his case. Ho though): it would he a very fair thin? to reduce- tho charges (£7s) by XKL Hβ moved an amendment in that direction.. Tho chairman: I suppose you are proDared to pay the balance if tho Audit Dcrmrtment refuse to pass it? Mr. J. G. Cobho seconded tho amendMr. Jos. Trevor announced himself in fnvour of a reduction, but both Mr. J. W. M'Ewon and Mr. M. Cohen supported tho motion. Tlie amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost on the casting vote of the chairman, and tho motion wat then carried.