THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3134, 14 July 1881, Page 3

THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir,—l hope the news is true that there is a chance of the Custom House being moved up town. Some of us at the Spit don't regard Custom House officers with any affection, and if tbey were taken up town I think they would be a good riddance. At present they keep walking about the wharves and pushing their noses into quarters where they are not wanted. A poor devil of a sailor cannot bring a box of tobacco for his own use, or that of his friends, but these interfering Custom House officers pounce upon it. A year or two ago they stole across tbe bay in an open boat, and seized a quiet still, which a decent poor man was using to let the people have some cheap whisky. There has been no chance for earning an honest penny up till now, but with the Custom House up town the risk may be worth running. At present there is only one locker for Napier, and they say that if the bonds are moved up town he will need to follow every cart, which will give him plenty of walking exercise, but I don't believe this, and a fair chance of exchanging a good cask of cognac or whisky might be made for one that would not need afterwards to come out of bond. It is quite a mistake, therefore to suppose tbat Custom House officers are wanted at the port; far better have them up town, where their nice uniform would be a source of pride to themselves and of gratification to their friends. —I am, Ac, Salt. July 14, 1881.