WHARF DUES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4320, 25 January 1875, Page 3

WHARF DUES.

■CO 013 WORSHIPFUL TUK MAYOH AVD COrtPOKATIOK TEU FAVOIt OF N.Z. TIMBS. Sins,—As the question of wharf regulations seems to excite public attention, I take the liberty of stating the mode of carrying out the business of wharfinger at the port of Portsmouth, which i am personally conversant with. Tho wharfinger collected tonnage dues on all vessels using the wharf:—2o. per ton register for all vowels arriving from ports In the English channel ; 3d. per ton for all vessels from any port in Great Britain and Ireland ; 4d. per ton for veasels arriving from foreign ports. An arrangemorit was made witli the regular traders, who used the wharf often, to charge lu3S—say about onco per month. Vessels In distress were exempt from tonnage duos. The wharfage dues were collected according to ft tariff of charges, based partly on tho value of tho goodii. Coals paid Is. per ton, and othor goods about from Is. fid. to 2s. ui. per ton. Quarterly accounts were kept with the merchants and agents, and tho dues amounted to from £9OOO to £IO,OOO per annum ; and the loss from bad debts did not exceed £lO per annum. The wharfinger had power to atop goods for all accounts unpaid. Tho wharfinger neither gavo nor took- receipts; the carriers received tho goods and forwarded them (they may be called forwur'ding agents, as tiicy had a staff of their own, and were responsible people.) They paid the dues for goods for the country at tho time, and also for parties who had not a Quarterly account. Goods from ships in distress, landed whilst under repairs, were exempt from dues. I'ersonal luggago and baggage were not charged, although not exempt by the Act. Tho harbor master brought the vessels to their moorings ; the wharfinger ordered thera to tholr berths, and had power to put men on board and charge the captain the expenses if ho refused to move the ship when ordered ; tho ship's papers were stoppod at the Custom-house until payment, and If tho tonnage dues

were not naid. the clearance was detained at Customhouse"ifvol fired. The staff employed at the wharf was wharfinger, boatswain of tho wharf, and two nien to keep the wharf clear of obstructions and look after the cranes, planks. &c, tc.: two clerks, one of whom collected the accounts. A copy of the manifest of each vessel was left at the wharf-offico, and a list of goods for shipment. All goods landed or shipped at Private wharves or landing places paid half dues. Vessels having a general cargo or heavy {foods took precedence of corn vessels or others having light good» which could be lauded on planks over other vessels. The Customs had the baggage warehouse close to the wharf, but tho bonded stores, which were of great extent, were not near the wharf; they belonged to a large firm, and were let off in portions to merchants. The goods, of course, ware carted from the wharf to the store.—l am, &c, Jab. F. Wills. P.S.—Allow mo to add that tho above arrangement worked satisfac orily to all parties.