THE PORT TRADERS

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 October 1901, Page 3

THE PORT TRADERS

At the Harbor Board meeting the chairman, Mr Petrie, said that in consequence of the dissatisfaction expressed in regard to the departure of the Wainui last Saturday morning he had asked the Harbor master for a report upon same which he now presented. It Was as follows: — “ t beg to acknowledge a letter from the Secretary requesting me to furnish you With a detailed report on the circumstances that led to the s s Wainui leaving the roadstead on Saturday morning the 26th inst, I now bog to comply. About 6 p m on Friday I visited the tip-head and telephoned up to the Union Coy’s office for instructions rc Wainui, and was instructed by Mr Cargill to signal to wait till sam to-morrow, which was done. He also instructed me if there was any doubt about working theibar at 5a m to signal her to proceed to Westport. I instructed Collins to inform me of the state of the bar at daylight. At 445 a m Collins informed me by telephone that the sea was heavy and there was no chance of working the bar at high water. I ordered him to send her on to West- -* port according to instructions. I may state it was nearly four hours from high water, and it is very difficult at that stage of tide to give a correct opinion which I informed the agent of, the evening before.”

The Chairman said that, in presenting the report, he did not know whether tire Board would then or at their ordinary meeting discuss the matter* Mi* Mathieson thought tile Chairman Was deserving of thanks for his prompt action. He (the speaker) proposed to the question at once. The Company was treating the Port badly. On three occasions lately the Wainui had slipped away, and passengers were sent on with coal boats. He had it from a thoroughly trustworthy person that the local agent had declared if the steamer could not get in by five o’clock she was to proceed on to Westport. To go away three hours before high water was a ridiculous thing and deserving of censure Mr Sheedy; Your own signalman was to blame.

Mr Mathieson, continuing, said the interests of the port were being sacrificed for the convenience of the Company or another port, and he moved “That this Board write to the Union Company protesting against the way this port is attended to, and pointing out the case of the Wainui particularly, as it was calculated to injure the name of the port and the interest of the community.” Mr Sheedy seconded. He said the Union Company paid but scant attention to this port. They had a monopoly, and like all monopolies made the best of it. It reflected gravely upon those concerned to know that one or the Board’s own officers had declared absolutely at such a time of the tide that there was no chance of getting in at high water, and yet three steamers crossed the bar after such pronouncement was made. Mr Russell desired to know what the Harbor Master’s position was in regard to the Union Company.

The Chairman said he would supply the information at next meeting. The Harbor staff were officers of tire Board.

Mr Russell could not help thinking that the signalman had gone wrong. He could not have said positively at such a time that there was no chance, and there being a chance that chance should have been given in favor of the port. Mr Campbell did not favor the resolution. They were not in the hands of the Union Company. The trade was there own and they could secure a remedy. Some time ago a proposal was on foot, but then fell through. Almost immediately thereafter the company had put 10/- per ton extra on cargo. The present was a most favorable time for them to take action, not perhaps the Board alone, but the general public, and he had no doubt they would be able to show the company they could look after themselves. He did not favor a protest to the Company but entirely different action.

The Chairman said these repeated returns from the roadstead was having a detrimental effect, and the Board as the controlling body must protest. He declared that no one an hour after low water could predict whether the bar would be workable at tide time. As a change had been practically formulated by members he would endeavour before next meeting to get all information.

The resolution was then carried, Mr Campbell dissenting on the score that they should not ugain appeal to the Union Company.

It was generally understand that the matter will be further considered by the Chamber of Commerce.