OUR WHARVES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1627, 19 December 1912, Page 5

OUR WHARVES.

' CHARGE OF UNCLEANLINESS. STATEMENTS REFUTED. ' , At n conference of North Island Freezing Companies on , July 9 last some remarks were made regarding the uncleanliness of the export wharves in Wellington. Iliese remarks were referred to at last mght a meeting of tho Harbour Board by the chairman (J[r. R. Fletcher), who considered that before any such statements had been made, the Associated Freezing Companies might have had the courtesy to communicate with the board on tho matter, so that any real grievance could be. remedied. In view of what had passed, a report on the matter had been furnished by the wharfinger (Mr. A. V. Halo Mnnro), and went in the direction of refuting the charges of uncleanlincss. The report said :—

"I desire to point out that it is only when no other berths for colliers are tivailablo that the harbourmaster is compelled to put a vessel discharging coal at tho export wharves. Where a coal boat is discharging at the same time that a Home vessel is taking in meat at an export wharf, n scavenger is Jcept constantly in.attendance to keep the wharf clean. At the same time it must be remembered that it frequently happens tliat when Home vessels are taking in cheeso and butter a collier discharging coal is also lying ahead or astern of such Home vessels.

■"As you are aware the board docs not handle tho meat, but it often happens that when a vn?sel is loading meat at tho wharves for shipment a plank is laid down by the stevedores on the wharf, and the centre of the meat bag placet! on top of the plank, the ends of the moat bag lwmir kept ckir of the wharf by trestles. If this practice was rigidly adhered to, there would bs no chance of the meat coming in contact with tho wharf, oil which a certain proportion of coal dust must find its way from the Home vessel coaling and loading simultaneously. I know of no cargo other than coal" that could bo cited as detrimental to meat at the loading, wharves. "It is understood that the Home vessel has only a short time at her disposal to loud and take in coal at the same timo, but the board has always n=»d its best endeavours to keep the loading bprths clean, and arrangements hav« now been made to wash down the wharves with fresh water when the occasion demands it.

"I notice the meat conference complained pa to the Harbour Board's methods in handling casks from trucks or carts. In reply I have to slate that the staves and heads of the casks are of a very fragilo nature, and also that they are often made of green timber. These facts have to be considered when tho contents of Hio casks often weiph over 8H cwt. Skids with a stppl sprin.? at the bottom to save the chimes are always used when unloading casks from truck or carts, and I know of no instances as to the alleged careless handling of casks by our men. In proof of this statement, the board havo only paid about .£2 for damnjre to casks in four years, but a lot of labour, such as tightening up hoops, putting snlt .water on the heads of casks, whilst awaiting shipment, has never br>pn charged for, or for clewing up the melted tallow around the casks in hot weather.

' Meat clerics tallying in wet weather:— Hie shed doors are always opened by our storomen where deeiml when the shVtl is working, but ivhon the shod is closed no accommodation is provided. The meat companies could provide portable shelter which, when not in use, could bo kept at tho h«id of the- wliavf. As, Hie coal companies provide their own, the meat companies might do likewise, or the board could provide shelters and lease them to tm< companies requiring them. "In conclusion I beg to submit that wo liavo nn adequate staff-of scavengers to KPPD the wharves clean, and our wharves will compare very favourably in thig respect with any port in tho world."