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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 24 April 1863, Page 3

I ■ •— ■ (To theEditorofthe Invercargill Times.) Sxv., I was very much amused on reading in jour last, the reception the committee appointed on the jetty and pilotage question, met with from His Honor the Superintendent. His Honor seems to know all that is required ; at the same time there is nothing done to remedy the defects. Although I am only a new chum here, I wish some of the old hands had been master or owner of my ship (or'JLhe last seven weeks, perhaps they would have been taught a lesson — at least I have been ; and I shall brig no more cargo here for £3 per ton. At the same time, when I get to the other side, I must inform brofaer shipmasters the difficulties they have to contend with. I was piloted halfway up f j town by Mr. Bray very well. I tried to enter at the Customs next day, and unfortunately went on shore without my bills of lading, without which they would not take my entry, causing me to lose a day to get them. Next five days were lost on recount of all entries not being pat ;ed } the± two days more for want of bonded warehouse-room ', then only one officer on the jetty, through whom must pass, I suppose 100 tons of goods daily from a dozen different vessels (I don't think they can truak or cart half that quantity)/ Then as for pilokge, I was, I think, ten d&ysitom bank to bank in the river. I don t think there a knob but what I have had a touch at, and the number of vesaels I have seen laying about on the", sands, rJnca I have been here, is disgraceful. There does not seem to be any surveillance amongst them at aIL To return to. the jetty and Customs. When a shipmaster wants" to clear his vessel, it generally takes four,- five, or six days bofore it can be found out where all his goods have got to. No doubt ho holds the lighter's receipts for all his cargo, but that will not satisfy the Collector. Ho must

have a 'certificate from 'the Customs' officer that the vessel is all discharged, and that he cannot dive until he finds out where the cargo went to, which is often a very difficult matter, the way things are managed at present. Why not make lightermen deliver, and take receipts for their own cargoes, in the same manner as they do in 11 fha™' a good deal more to say, but trusting I have not trespassed too much on your valuable Space • I remain, yours, John Ooubison, Master William Buchanan.