LIGHTERAGE AND WHARFAGE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 908, 5 June 1903, Page 3

LIGHTERAGE AND WHARFAGE

’An adjourned meeting of the. Hart,or Board was field yesterday, there being present : Messrs Townley (the Chairman;, Harding, Hepburn, Matthewson, iSicvwrighl, and Captain Tucker.

'The Finance Conuniftce’3 report was as follows “ Your committee begs to report to tho Board as foillows :—That they met, as arranged, on Tuesday tho 2nd of June, when there were present, the Chairman and Members Harding, Hepburn, Sievwright. and Tucker. —Re Public Trustee and Loan Funds: After reading all the

correspondence and conferring on the matter with the representative of the district (the Hon. James Carroll), who kindly attended at the Board’s office for this purpose, it was unanimously agreed to recommend the Board that a Bill should be prepared by tho Board’s solicitor to the effect that tho moneys in the hands of the Public Trustee, and now part of the Common Fund, shall us occasion offers be invested in the same maimer as the ordinary in-

vestments by him.— Re salaries : With regard to the application of the ciano man, air Fraser, lor an increase of salary, we recommend tiiat the same be bold over for the present. As to application of Messrs Hamilton and Jackson, carpenters, we recommend that the same be refused. As to Mr Kenneth Humphreys’ application re driving engine at slip, we recommend tiiat he he informed that the Board is not at present wanting an engineer to drive same.—Re working oversc-er : We beg to report that wo settled the draft specification of duties prepared by the Secretary, which aro laid on tho table for approval. Ro Tuamotu Island, etc : We beg to recommend tho Board to instruct their solicitor to tako all necessary steps to acquire the title to Tuamotu Island, and also to arrange for an exchange of land taken in the Papawariki Block for other portion of same block whereby access can bo obtained to tho island. —Ro Leading Lights Towers : After reading the report of Mr King, your Committee instructed him to have tho work of closo boarding and painting the towers done as soon as possiblo.—Re Harbor Master's uniform : Your Committee consider it advisable that tho Harbor Master should wear a distinc-

tive uniform, and they recommend the same.—Ro Lighterage and Wharfage : Your Committee, after discussing these questions, proceeded to interview the Manager of tho U.S.S. Company (Mr F. C. Cramond) on tho former subject, and explained to him that they thought considering tho increasod facilities for shipping that had been effected by the Board’s outlay that a substantial reduction ought to bo made by Messrs Kennedy and Evans iu the charges for lightering, which would enable tho U.S.B. Company to lessen the freight. Mr Cramond promised to do all he could in the matter.’’

Oil fho motion of Mr Sievwriglit, seconded by Mr Harding, the report was adopted. in regard to the Overseer’s duties it was agreed, on Hie motion of Mr Sjevwrigiit,, that the working of the slip be Included. As to lighterage, Mr Harding considered (hat it. would he wiser to wait until they had a reply from Mr Cramond, the U.S.S. Company’s

agent. Mr Sicvwright said tiiat Hie Company might not care to disclose the nature of their business arrangements. Did Hie Board intend to embark on lighterage. Mr Harding said they, had been into a good many lines, and it was time they struck out, and went straight on an undeviating line, and in that .way they would do some good. Mr Hepburn said that the charge

for lighterage was 3s to os per ton. according to the risk. The Chairman said one thing they must hear in mind was that Messrs Kennedy and Evans did more than actual lightering work. They did receiving work for which ninepenee per ton was paid in Napier, and in some places a shilling. There was as quick delivery given in Gisborne as at any wharf iu New Zealand. Jl iuid to he borne iu mind in discuss-

ing any other arrangement that the prescut charge in Gisborne included llie cost of receiving and delivering (at the wharf), for which a stall of clerks had to lie kept. Mr Matthewson : They take the whole responsibility for damage, etc.

The Chairman : We have no responsibility. Mr Hepburn : If they lake delivery of an article at the steamer and it falls overboard, they are responsible. Mr Matthewson : When once it is in the ship’s slings they take responsibility. Mr Harding said as far as clerks were concerned, Hie Board could employ them just as well as Kennedy and Evans.

'Pile Chairman said that, the question really was, could they get the lighterage charges reduced. Mr Hepburn said that the charge was the same as it was ten years

ago, when the lighters often had to remain in the bay all night. The Chairman said that if Hie charges were the same the firm were getting the advantage of the improvements. Mr Harding : If we cannot get any reduction the sooner we knock - off making improvements the hotter. It was their duty to try and secure a reduction. If every member was satisfied that the work was being done at. a fair and reasonable rate, it was only wasting time going further. It; seemed from the way members talked, as if the whole work of lightering would cease if Messrs Kennedy and Evans knocked off. The Chairman : No, someone else would have to do it ; hut it must be on the same lines. Mr Harding said that it would be. , C asy enough for the Board to get the necessary clerks, and they had the money earning only 31 per cent. The Chairman : Wc had better let the matter stand until we get a reply from the Union Company. Captain Tucker said they ought to consider the alternative, and be prepared in case of an adverse reply. Mr Matthewson considered they had he I ter wait for the reply. . Mr Hepburn-said that the Union Company’s rates of freight had been lowered from 25s to 17s (id compai-

ed to what they were ten years ago, but- there had been no reduction in lighterage, notwithstanding Hie facilities provided in that time. Mr Sievwright said he would like to see some definite proposal before them. , .

The Chairman said Dial if was a plain business transaction. TUev isked for certain information and until they had got that he did not think they should deal with the matter as though they had got a negative reply. , , , Captain Tucker : We cannot deal with it hut we might forecast in our mind as to what the cost, would

The* Chairman asked why ihey had i • /■»- .1 ;r * iwir fiiii

interviewed Mr Cramond if they nut not intend to wait for a reply from the company.

Mr Ilepburn said he thought their j answer would be that they could do i nothing unless Messrs Kennedy and j Evans lowered their charges. Mr Sievwright asked what action they would take supposing they had a refusal to the request to lower the lighterage. They had not the money to get; a plant of their own. The Chairman, in reply to a reference to the money in the hands of the Public Trustee, said that it was borrowed for lutrboi construction purposes, and could only be used for the redeeming of the loan. If the public were dissatisfied with the present condition of things there was always the alternative of another

iuwiiya n't “>* ~ company to compete. Mr' Matthewson said that the Union Company had a big say in anything that was done. The Chairman : And the tluddart, Parker Company. Captain Tucker said if the 1 luddarl., Parker Company saw a way to reduce freight by a shilling saved on wharfage they would no doubt do so. ~ . Mr Sievwright ; There is nothing to hinder any private syndicate taking the matter up. Mr Harding: We are not, here to suggest, a private company. We have to consider the matter as a harbor hoard. Mr Sievwright : Do you tlunk the. Harbor Board should lake up <he lightering work ? Mr Harding said he had no hesitation in saying lie thought, it, should. Mr Sievwright said it seemed to him to lie more for the mercantile community. If they were oppressed why did not they go into the matter instead of asking the Board ! He did 1 not think the Boat'd had any standing in tlie matter except as an act of courtesy. __ ....

In reply to the Chairman, Mr liarding said he thought the questions of wharfage and lighterage hinged on each other to a large extent,, and should he taken together. Mr Matthewson said that one point the companies must have was quick despatch. The Chairman said the Gisborne Freezing works were. largely interested in the matter. Nelson Brothers had a plant and did most of their own lightering. Mr Harding : If Nelson Bros, can get a plant and do their own lightering, surely the Board could do so. The Chairman said they had had to get a plant that, would not necessitate the opening or the bridges that was too risky to do at night. After further general remarks, it, was decided to adjourn the subject, until the Union Company’s reply was received. Captain Tucker asked what was proposed to he done in regard to wharfage, amend, augment, or reduce ? Mr Harding : Amend and reduce. The Chairman said that the application was certainly to take oft, not,

LU j/uu uu. Mr Matthewson : 1 do not see how you can put it. on anywhere. Mr Harding said the desire was to put tradespeople here on a footing to compete with, other places. Captain Tucker said it seemed most reasonable that people who had paid for an article once should not have to pay lor it again. Mr Hepburn said the deputation put it that iron that had paid for wharfage should go out free when it was made up into tanks, and in a like manner witli drays and other articles for which the raw material had to he imported. Mr Harding said the material for drays and harness had to come in. Me Matthewson said that practically the raw material for all manufactured goods had to come in. Mr Sicvwrighl : It is a matter of revenue, and we must he careful of reducing it. Captain Tucker said it seemed to him unfair that they should make i goods pay double rates. Tt would not amount to a great (leal and they might accede to that request. Mr Sievwright : Would you accede to that in the case of things manufactured out of productions here ? Captain Tucker : W 7 e. are not asked to do that yet. The Chairman : We cannot do that.

HULL. Mr Sievwright : Tlow are you to distinguish ? Mr Harding said people were not likely to build drays out. of white pine, and .in making harness there was nothing likely to he local. Mr Matthewson said that butter boxes were about the only thing manufactured from local productions. Captain Tucker said if I hey decided that local productions should go out free lie would be able to shake hands with himself, as wool would go out free, and in that case why not sheep Mr Harding said he was of opinion that some slight reduction should be made in the charge on frozen meat.

Mr Hepburn : That is a local production. The Chairman said they had tolook to the revenue. If I hey made reductions ihey must see where the revenue was to come from. Mr Harding said that people were going far hack into t lie country, lo help to make Cisborne a port, and if the Hoard could see its way to make concessions it should do so. Mr Sievwright said that .Mr .Shelton had carefully gone Ihrough the tariff, and if he could not see where amendments could be made, he did not think others could easily do so. The Chairman said if they could see their way to do without two or three thousand pounds in revenue, it would ho easy enough to make reductions.

Mr Harding said they were not asked to go to that extent. When the trade was doubling, they surely might be able to make some reduction for people who had to go away hack, and to his mind the present wharfage on frozen meat was too high. Mr Sievwright : I wish that some wealthy man would come and clear us and let- us have a free port. Mr Harding : You would have the same trouble in a lew years. Mr Hepburn pointed out that there

had been an enormous increase in frozen meat exports. Mr Sievwright : And our expenses have increased. Mr Harding : If no benefit is to be -derived from the expenditure, what? is the good of going on spending ? The Chairman said that there was a benefit in the quicker despatch given to the big steamers. If those vessels were not able to get away with such despatch they would possibly not come at all or else charge higher freights. lie was as anxious as anyone to see a reduction, but he hoped that at present the arrange'

Bjcnts would not be disturbed, ns a reduction would interfere with the work proceeding. .Air Harding said he was not asking for that, but if the facilities were so good for the big ships, were they not also better for the lightering, for which they had to pay the same '! The Chairman said that sonic of the lightering was now done at 3s. ]\fr Mali hewson held that the revenue from wharfage should go only to works in progress, and not lo the payment of interest on the loan. Air Harding said he did not want to put more on the land. Air Alattliewson said that the present wharfage was purely a revenue tariff. The land should hear the

burden of the loan. Air Sievwright suggested that Air Harding take the tariff in hand, and see how the results would work out. Air Harding said he did not want to lake that responsibility on himself. Air iSievwright said he was not going to take the responsibility unless he knew on what lines they were to proceed. Air Harding : Then yon should have objected to being placed on the commit tee. 1. do not want any hole and corner business. 1 wanted the whole Hoard on it. Air Sievwright said that there was no suggestion of hole-and-corner business,' hut from his experience on tile Board he wanted .something spe-l ciiic to go on. The Chairman said that last yean they had transferred from the general fund tile sum of £11(13 for the payment of. interest. To carry out the suggestion, the rate on land would have lo be increased. It had been thought all along tliilfc tlio UHC or the wharves was worth paying for and that anybody who used them should pay a fair proportion. The fairest, way, lie considered, was now

ueing auopicu. Captain Tucker said that it was a mistake to tax local products, but they could not always sec their way to carry out their views. He went on to relate how the price was put up on wool and meat. Air Alatthewson said that, the tariff on general merchandise had been raised a hundred per cent. Captain Tucker said it would hit very pleasing to him if they took oil' l.lie increases on wool and meat. Mr Alattliewson : Then you would have, to pay it. in rates. Captain Tucker said that they were now taxed to the fullest extent and another fraction would break their hacks. Mr Alattliewson said that if it did not conic out of one pocket it must come out of the other. Air Hepburn : By collecting it in wharfage you get at everybody. Air Alattliewson : Captain Tucker.

refers to wool. Mr Harding : The tax on frozen meat is too high. Take Nelson Bros what facilities have we given them ? The Chairman : The whole river. They pay cheerfully. Mr Harding said that all he asked was that the Board go into the question to sec whether they could not make a reduction to put tradespeople in Gishornc on a footing with traders in Auckland and elsewhere, and if the Board could see its way to make a slight reduction on frozen meat—lie was not asking for any 25 per cent. They should have some consideration for settlers going hack eighty or a hundred miles. Comparison was then made with the charges in Napier. The Secretary said that about £25 per year would cover the revenue alluded to by Mu Harding in regard to the coast. lie charged 5s per ton for iron brought in, and in ease of it. being sent out as (auks, on eacli the charge would be half-a-erown, hut lie had not allowed the iron when manufactured to go out at the same rate

as when brought in. It was suggested that the secretary might interpret the manufactured article as iron that had already paid duty, and the same with other exports. The Secretary said the export duty on potatoes seemed hardly fair. The Chairman, in reply to Mr liarding, said that there had been people here a good many years helping to pay the rates. They had had no concession, and lie did not see why they should reduce everything on ae- | count of a few new-comers, entailing stagnation and going hack instead of progress. (Mr Jlarding: fdo not ask it..) Townspeople would find that their valuations were increasing —some of them would he surprised to know that their properties were so valuable. (Captain Tucker : That is cruel.) They should continue the works as at present, out of revenue. Some people suggested that posterity should he given a share of the burden, and if they thought so they should apply to get £IO,OOO released for improvements. The loan would

ho due in twelve or thirteen years ; he supposed they would lie able then to pay about three-fourths. After discussion as to the probable rate of interest at that stage the tariff question was deferred. Tlie members of the Board then interviewed Mr Eliott, manager for Messrs Dalgety and (Jo., agents of 1 lie lluddart-Parker Cgnipanv, in re- ! gard to lighterage. That gentleman said they were well served now from the point of view of efficiency, but in jhe event oi' another lightering service on equal conditions as to efficiency, thy company would probably call for tenders. ife promised to represent the views of the deputation to headquarters, and said he would i he pleased in supply any, information that lie could.