RAILWAY METHODS.

Otaki Mail, 6 March 1922, Page 3

RAILWAY METHODS.

GOODS LOST AND MISLAID AT FLAG STATIONS.

PKOTLST FROM CHAMBERS Of COMMERCE.

Instances of tire confusion arising from goods being mislaid or lost at flag stations owing to no check being kept by the tablet porters in charge were cited by several speakers at a meeting oR the Levin Chamber 11 Commerce last week, when a communication came to hand from the Tailiape Chamber of Commerce asking for support in the direction of getting the Railway Department to accept the responsibilities of a common carrier lor goods consigned to and troru flag stations. Taihape gave a resume of their correspondence with the Department. The Chamberpointed out that goods were disappearing or tailing to reach consignees in an alarming way. The duties of tablet porters at hag stations were .very light and it should not he a hardship ior ilium to see tiiat all goods were signed for before deiiv.ery. At present goods for hag stations were way-hilled by the originating station and were marked by the guard of the train “put out,” or when a truckload, “put off.” There was nothing to show whether the goods were actually in die truck. The waybills were then taken on to die next station where there was a stationmaster and checked there. The Department took no responsibility and objected to changing the system on account of the additional work it would impose on the staff. The Taiiiape Chamber contested this opinion, as no accounting was required, goods for Hag station’s being prepaid. “I think' that we should support this with all our hearts,” said Mr Howard Andrew. He mentioned that die matter had already been before

the Wellington Chamber and the Merchants’ Association, and the Department had promised redress alter the war. The position was that when a truck arrived at u .Hag station tlie consignees were told to help themselves, and as the invoice* were not always to hand, they did not know what belonged to them. Mr Andrew gave instances of where this had led t,o serious rnisunderstyanding and trouble. On one occasion a truck had arrived with LIU worth of goods missing, and it was only alter going personally to the General Manager’s office that he had established a claim lor re-nnbuisement. A month ago 10 hags of sugar Were missing irom a truck at a certain station,- and the Department had not been .able to eft.re liieni. "BfcuusV goods’were signed' for at Lainblon or Thorndon the Department's responsibility should not cease there. He hoped the business men of Levin would help the traders in country places in agitating for redress. Mr D. W. Matheson supported the previous speaker. Bo far as Levin trader's were ‘Concerned, they 'did not thfu trouble if l Tfeceivifig, bqt they might have it ip sending goods and he, considered the coup try

tiers’ interests should be assisted, -ne Department should be made to accept the same responsibility as common carriers.

Mr ltiiumer gave an instance when In business in Palmerston, of live cases of "benzine being lost through the goods not being received by a Client at Taonui,- near Feilding. and in consequence of this he had. made it a rule not. to fulfil orders from Hag stations unless the cash accompanied the- order. He considered that as-carriers the Department should :c----cept full responsibility of goods consighed 4o aeflagi station, ... „ kjr' Lamrripn- sßid'ftp, recently sent 'hides' to Syell'lngton .ami' '3B' arriveU at the destiiiatipji. Sijnilarfy 'Sjieepskips arrived put qf a copsigpTnppt pf 3po. Mr L Dean cited instances ol Where pristakes had ppcuired and gpotjs had bepn overcharged, and '.e had been put to the trquble of apply-: ing for refunds. The chairman (Mr C. H. Marlin) bald the Chamber should give the tnatter its whole-hearted support. The Department was not asked to go to any expense, and a little extra work would not be too much at flag staCcy.s.- -•--

■pht motion to support the Chamber’s' resolution *-waa- 'carried unanimously. '