DEPUTATION TO THE WHARF COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4983, 13 March 1877, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE WHARF COMMITTEE.

, The Wharf Committee of the City Council received a deputation yesterday, consisting of shipping* agents, carters, and others interested in the regulations passed by the Wharf Committee in reference to the cartage of goods from the Queen’s Wharf. The deputation included representatives of all the leading mercantile firms in the city, - Mr. Miller was called on, and stated in the first place that they objected to the decision of the Wharf Committee as to the delivery.of the goods to consignees, and secondly, they wished to represent what in their opinion were the feal causes of the block on the wharf. This latter had been said to be the fault of the barters; but if they went to the root »f the* matter, it would be found that this was not the case. The real cause was the utter want of all law or order on the wharf, and every simpleton - knew that where there was no law there was no liberty. The goods were thrown about wherever anybody chose, and drays and expresses were allowed to stand just where they pleased, uttterly regardless of the public convenience. The remedy needed was proper management. The wharfinger had full power to regulate the wharf, but he did not exercise that power, and if he. would not do his duty, another wharfinger ought to be appointed —a man with more force of character, who could make people obey the law. : When Mr. Jackson had the wharf there was a great deal more business doing, yet there was never anything like the confusion which now prevailed. No doubt the carters. and expressmen were to blame for putting their vehicles where they chose, but it was the wharfinger’s duty_to till them where to go, and to summon them if they disobeyed. Goods were bundled down anyhow, and took up twice the room that was needed. The specific objections to the new regulation was that it partook of the character of Communism, having a tendency to keep all carters on the same level, and preventing the best man from rising above the rest. The Mayor : But if the consignees fail to employ labor in proper time, and so leave their goods on the wharf to incommode others, what remedy.is there? . , ' . : . . Mr. Miller : The by-laws empower the wharfinger to give them three hours’ notice to remove the goods. - _ - . . - 1 ■ Mr. N. Keid asked what would become of existing contracts between merchants and carters if the Corporation took the delivery of goods into their own hands ? > The Mayor : Existing contracts probably could be carried out. The new regulation

would not be enforced with absolute rigor juatat fii st. The block on the wharf at present was a matter of general complaint. Mr. Reid .- That is the fault of the wharfinger, not of the consignees or carters. Supposing the new regulations come into force, what provision will be made for shipping goods ? The Mayor said the shippers would do it with their own labor. Air. Reid pointed out that they could not do it nearly so cheaply if they had to employ labor specially for that, instead of having the same labor available that was engaged in delivering g-iods. Mr. Curtis pointed out that two fertile causes of the block were (1) the labor employed by the wharfinger, (2) the practice of throwing goods on the wharf in a heap anyhow, without any attempt at sorting or arrangement. Thus, often when carters went for consignees' goods they could not get them, for they were unable themselves to pick them out, and there were not enough men employed to find and deliver them. Only three men were employed discharging an English ship, instead of nine or ten. If they complained to Mr, Prince, they were referred to Mr. Reeves ; and if they complained to Mr. Reeves, he referred them back to Air. Prince. There was a great want of proper management. All the goods should be stored whea lauded on the wharf.

A good deal was said about the stoppages on the wharf and general need for improvement, and as to why 200 or 300 casks o£ cement were allowed to remain on the wharf. The Mayor stated that they had been pronounced not moveable, except at the risk of the Corporation, the barrels being in bad condition ; and the Corporation not being inclined to take that .risk they remained there. The deputation were of opinion that more labor was required. After further talk. the ■ Mayor thanked the deputation for the information they had afforded to the committee, and assured them that the matter should receive full and careful attention.

The deputation then thanked his Worshipand the committee, and withdrew.