FREIGHTS TO PATEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 120, 12 May 1908, Page 3

FREIGHTS TO PATEA.

A SHIPPER'S COMPLAINT. COMPANIES ADHERE TO Fl! Kl(! UTS. ' At Tuesday's meeting of the Patea Harbor Ifoard (the Press reports) the following letter was received fropj Mr. C'. A. Wilkinson (of Eltham): — "i notice by the report of your last meeting that von are endeavoring to get shipping companies to reduce freight . charges to your port. Until the freight o were raised from 10s to 12s (Id per ton some, little time ago. T was n fairly heavy importer through your port, iiiit since then I have instructed that practically the whole of my goods be shipped via the port of New Plymouth. It seems to me that ail increase in the set freight of 25 per cent, was altogether unjustifiable, and had business on the part of the shipping companies concerned. Tt. would be alright to raise the freight against tlic people who mu»t pet goods through your port, but in the rase of those towns on the outskirts of the port, so to speak, the probabilities are that yon will their trade. I enclose a copy of a circular sent to me some time ago which clearly shows the effect of this rise in freights by the combined shipping companies trading to your port."' "Circular. -In con>c,|ii.'nce of freight from Wellington ]> ; ,! r;! bavins been risen iron. His to 12s ltd per (on. T beg herewith to_instruct you until furUi-r' notice to ship all goods to me via the l"°rt of Yew Plymouth ill place of I'alea as hitherto. When shipping gniaK please insert measurements on "boat miles. Trusting von will give vonr careful attention to above". (The rate to New Plvmontb is IDs per ton). Messrs. W. and I!. Turnbnll and Co. wrote in reply to |hc resolution passed at last meeting:—"Tlic rates from Welthe following ports show thai Patea is receiving very fair treatment in being charged 12s fid per ton:-Wel-lington to Blenheim 15m. Wellington to Nelson 12s (Id, Wellington to Wcstport 15s, Wellington to ftreynmut h 15s. Wellington to Tlokitika 23s (1,1. All the above ports can be entered at night ' time which is never possible at I'atea, leading to serious delay and heavy overtime charges on boats working I'atea. As to the copy of the letter vou forward. we are satisfied that the writer is (oo good a business man to continue shipping by that route as it results in loss himself." The I'alea .Shipping Company' w rote ' regretting that they could not „e ( . ih» matter in the same' light as the Hoard. N'o action wan taken.