GOLDEN FLEECE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1628, 20 December 1912, Page 9

GOLDEN FLEECE.

WELLINGTON CAN HANDLE THE WOOL.

STATEMENT AT HAEBOUB BOARD,

I noticed some statements in the papers' here regarding, the handling of wool; people in the country are wondering if they are correct," said Mr J Cobbe at the meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board on Wednesday night.'. "The people'in the' country need not feel at all alarmed," replied the chairman of the board (Mr. R. Fletcher). "The board is well able to handle the wool. I am very surprised, however, to see' the way in which' shipping companies are trying to throw blame on the Harbour Boai ; d." Mr, Fletcher went on to say that dumping and pressing was proceeding at the sheds until 10 o'clock and 11 o clock at night, and everything necessary was being done to cope with the business. If the shipping companies would only show a litt.o diligence in getting wool away things would be all right. 'What was' wanted was vessels to take the wool away. "The Rimutaka comes here and is filling up with butter," he said, "and shutting wool out. If the steamers would como here instead of tripping round the coast picking up little quantities there would be no trouble. They keep this in reserve, and make a convenience of us." Mr. J. G. Harknoss said he believed that the board handled nioro.; wool iii 1904-5 than it was handling at present. With the additional appliances that they had now they should be able to_ handle the lesser quantity more expeditiously. The wool would not be paid for until 11 days after the sales. There were plenty ships to take the wool away, but they would not take it until it was paid for. The chairman snid that more wool may have come in in 1904-5, but its arrival had teen spread over a longer period. This year shearing was late. Mr. Harkness said that, nevertheless, he thought the board should be able to handle tho wool. The ohairnian: The country can send along all the wool it likes, and can rest assured that we can handle it.