REMOVAL FEES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1708, 27 March 1913, Page 6

REMOVAL FEES.

HARBOUR CHARGE ENFORCED, TURAKINA INCIDENT. . When tho Now Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Turakina was discharging cargo in Wellington early in tho present year, she was berthed at Queen's Wharf. Her cargo included one particular pack«go weighing 18 tons. For the purpose of unloading this, the liner was removed to the Railway Wharf, and when tho weighty article was out of the hold she was once more berthed at Queen's Wharf to complete discharge of her Wellington cargo. In due course the Ship, ping Companv was debited, as for ono removal, J22 Bs. 3d., plus towage Jill. Some on the matter passed between Mr. N. Galbraith, local manager for the company, and the secretary of the Harbour Board, and subsequently tho Wharves and Accounts Committee passed a resolution remitting the fee.?.' The chairman (Mr. R. Fletcher) gave notice of motion to' rescind at tho next committee meeting, and in tho meantime the matter formed tho subject of a long discussion before iho board last month. Eventually Mr. Fletcher stated that, as he considered tho question was Dne of importance, ho would report to the board whatever tho result of his rescinding motion should, be. "At last night's meeting of the board, the matter was reopened by the Wharves ajid Accounts Committee reporting to the board .that

"The chairman's motion to Tcscind the Wharves and Accounts Committee's decision of February 18, 1913, remitting harbourmaster's fees on s.s. Turakina (£22 Bs. 5d.) was negatived at the committee's meeting on March 18, 1913, and the question is now submitted to tho board to deal with as it deems fit." 1 The chairman in mentioning expressed himself as entirely opposed to the committee's action. If the board considered that the' charge ought to bo remitted, then it would be necessary to make an alteration in the by-laws. Tho payment in similar cases had never (ho declared) been previously challenged. He now moved that the board could not see its way to make any concession to the New Zealand Shipping Company in t'lio matter of the removal fees. Mr.- Trevor seconded the motion. There was again considerable discussion on the motion, but it was finally carried by seren. votes to five. The noes were: Messrs. Cobbe, Harkness, Jones, M'Farlane, and Eenner.