NEW WHARF CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 285, 26 August 1920, Page 6

NEW WHARF CHARGES

AN ALL-ROUND INCREASE

TO OPERATE FROM OCTOBER I

An all-round increase in wharf charges was decided upon by the Harbour Board last night. The following table shows iu detail the incidence of the increases:— Present rate. Increase, per ton. per ton. s. d. 8. d. Inward wharfage and labour, etc., general cargo • 3 ° l » T/S wharfage, labour and storage 3 6 10 per bale, per bale. Wool and skins 0 9 0 3 Hemp and tow 0 6 0 3 per ton. per ton. Outward wharfage and _ labour, general cargo ... I' 6 0 6 Harbour improvement rate: (a) General cargo 10 0 6 (b) Coal 0 1 0 1 Berthage rate 0 05 0 CJ Port charges 0 2 0 1 The chairman (Mr. J. G. Darkness) 6aid that while the trade of the port had remained practically stationary since 1913-14, the costs of administration had increased, and the salaries and wages of the permanent and casual hands had gone up »y practically 60 per cent. The cost of materials and services had been enhanced to an even greater degree. To meet interest and sinking fund on moneys that had, and would be borrowed in order to carry out the board's programme of works, tho board would have >to provide a very much larger sum annually than it had done in the past. The increased charges might seem somewhat excessive, but it was necessary iu the interests of the port and district that they should be brought about as soon as possible. The new charges would come into force on October 1 next, and they had been distributed with tho closest possible fairness between tho different interests involved. The board submitted tho new rates with confidence, and asked that its various clients would continue to extend their support.