CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 335, 22 December 1875, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

:o: Our columns are open for free discussion ; but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents. - :o: TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —On reading the report of the meeting of the Poverty Bay District Highway Board, I see that a letter has been received from Mr. Adair, the lessee of the wharf, complaining “ That the Gisborne ferryman was in the habit of soliciting the business people to ship their goods at the ferry wharf, to the injury of the properly appointed Wharfinger.” This! assert to be incorrect. The following statement of facts are nearer the mark. Sometime ago a quantity of wool had accumulated in the wool stores, and the ship now in the Bay, loading for home, was waiting for her cargo. The wharf for which Mr. Adair is lessee, was then occupied by two vessels, and a third was waiting to discharge, so it was impossible to have shipped wool for a few days. The Dog in the Manger spiritof Mr. Adair, if allowed to be carried out, would have the effect of keeping the ship waiting until he could find accommodation for the wool to be shipped, which, in itself alone, would be detrimental to the interest of the place, were that all; but when we find that the wharf at present, (or stockyard would be a better term for it) is allowed to get into . such a state of disrepair, that it is becoming every day more unsafe for traffic, we cannot wonder that advantage should be taken of any other place more suitable for shipment. What are the Road Board thinking about? Do they intend quietly to sit still and see the present wharf become so bad that cargo at a great risk, is landed there, without making some arrangements for the discharge of cargo elsewhere ? Additional wharf accommodation is required now ; and have not the Board power to see that the present whnrf is kept in good repair ? Ouly a few days ago a valuable horse put his foot through 1

the flboring, and was with difficulty extricated, but not before the animal was so injured, that he has been unable to work since. The next question will be, who is liable for damage done to the horse. The steam launch Lily has discharged cargo on the ferry wharf, and the brother of ‘he Lessee, of the properly appointed wh<yfi U g er| asked me if I had charged for disu‘. ar ging, telling me no matter if I did or d.t n( ,t he should do so. 1 then went to Messrs & Co., and told Mr. Graham what h“A been told me, and also that I had receive permission to ship cargo from the ferry wharf.—l am, &c., M r . Sheaauu. Gisborne, Dec. 17th, 1875.