WHARFAGE AND LIGHTERAGE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 903, 29 May 1903, Page 2

WHARFAGE AND LIGHTERAGE

DEPUTATION TO HARBOR BOARD A dopT'tation representing the Fanners Union iurc-rvk-.v: .1 the Board, consisting of Messrs A. !J. Wallis. W. A. Rod. R. M. Birr! ii. i.'S' -.n: Clayton, and F. Harris. Mr \\ aids explained the objects of the deputation. We appear here," he said. " on behalf of the Farmers' Union, svin.cn wishes vou to asm r.am if you can see your wav to revising me svhaitage tarill. The tariff as at present arranged seems to be unfair 0:1 business people and likewise Oil i misers, in regard to lire East Coast it seems nr st unfair that we sbou.d have

to my wh triage on \shat wc gat from t ite Harbor Board, district both inward and outward. We would respectfully ask you if von cannot see your way to take the charges ■ ft goods from the harbor district. Another question is that of lighterage.

We desire yon to see if some steps cannot be taken to reduce those charges which are much too high, it is not tor us to say how that should be done, but hope that you will he ab.e to formulate some scheme to have the lighterage charges reduced. As to the tariff, Mr Harris will be able to give you derails on that point.” At the request of Mr Harris, Mr Birrcll read the expressions of opinion of tradesmen, already published. Mr Harris compared the Gisborne tariff with that of Auckland and Rapier. On coal there was in Gisborne an import and export duty. On timber they placed a duty equal to four per ct nt. of its value from Whaugiira ; putiri posts had to pay the same as timber from Dannevirke, though Whaugara land paid a direct rate.

The Chairman explained that the Board hud previously devised a tariff to meet such cases, but the Government disallowed it ; it was illegal to differentiate between ports in the colony. Mr Hood : Cannot you have a free pert for district goods '? The Chairman: Yes ; but wo cannot differentiate.

Mr Harris: We are not a-king for a free port, but wo say that Tolago Bay goods for instance should not be charged as much as goods from Auckland. The Chairman : But it is illegal to differentiate. Mr Wallis : Then the Act wants alter-

iog. Continuing, Mr Harris referred to the subject of tanks. In regard to Mr Wade’s patent skylight, that gentleman informed him that he had to give up manufacturing them here because of the wharfage charges. Auckland treated their grass seed bettor than they treated it themselves, the tariff being loss and more bags being allowed. The charge on potatoes was the high sum of ‘ls 6d per ton. The charge on bricks was very high. He did not complain of the high charge on ale and spirits, but he thought there should be some equality. As to empty casks, there should be an allowance, but the Chairman had said that was illegal. He could import a dray for 10s wharfage, but a local maker would have to pry the same outward. If tho vehicle were of American wood it could bo sent out free. The Chairman : All goods pay the import tariff. Mr Harris: Yes, but if tho construction

is of New Zealand wood the manufacturer has to pay an outward tariff, though he has bad to pay for all tho material when it was imported. Then, take pigs ; the proprietor of the Okitu factory had to pay on everything brought in as well as on bacon exported, amounting to Is per pig, whilo a Christchurch firm could get tho pigs out for 6d. Sheep paid 4d outward. A mornber: Bor carcase '? The Secretary : Ber fifty (alive). Mr Harris went on to quote other anomalies. Mr Wallis said that what thoy wanted was a free export port, and that the anomaly should be taken away of the Waiapu County having to pay harbor ratos and also wharfage at Gisborne, whilo people here were exempt. The deputation then withdrew, leaving their papers with the Board. Captain Tucker: They do not say, “ Take it off goods and shove it on tho land ”? Tho Chairman : They say take it off altogether. Captain Tucker: Th at’s all very fine, but how are wo going to get revenue ? Tho Chairman : That’s a question to cousidcr. Captain Tucker : If tho members offered anythiug feasible it would be very well, but there is not much advantage in cutting a piece off ono end of a blanket to sow it on tho other.

MR HARDING’S MOTION. After the other business had been disposed of, Mr Harding proposed the motion of which ho had ggiven notice, “ That a committee of the whole Board bo sot up to go into the subject of lighterage and wharfage.” He did not intend to go into the subject at that stage, except to remark that he thought the time had arrived when the magnitude of the business of the Board justified these matters being carefully considered by tho Board. He fouud that since December 81st they had dealt with 423,257 tons of stuff, the lighterage being .£BOOO. Tho matter had not originated with him, but had had ..the attention of tradespeople and settlers, who thought that a considerable reduction might be made, and it was for the Board to consider whether they could not give moro facilities for landing cargo at a less cost to settlors and townspeople. The whole matter, however, could be threshed out by tho committee, and brought up later on. The Mayor said that he had pleasure in seconding the motion. The matters raised were well worth looking into, and if any improvement could be made they should make it. There were no doubt some things that they should look into. Take the cargo of over 400 tons of coal just lauded from the Balmain. It cost 20s per ton, while in Napier it could be landed for 12s, and in Wanganui for 14s. Why it should be 6s more than in Wanganui he could not understand. It might be said that Wanganui was a little nearer, but that would not make up the discrepancy. From both places the vessels had to go elsewhere to secure return cargoes. Certainly such a matter should be enquired into.

Tho motion was carried, and it was suggested the committee might take up the subject after the adjourned meeting next Thursday.