HANDLING GOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1922, Page 4

HANDLING GOODS.

DELAY AT NEW PLYMOUTH. “STILL CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT.” The delay on the part of the Railway Department in forwarding goods ex ship at New Plymouth to merchants down the line occasioned some further remarks at the meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board yesterday, when it was stated that there was still cause for complaint over this matter. Writing in reference to the complaint made by the board in July, the general manager of railways (Mr. R. W. McVilly), under date October 13, replies that the matter was receiving the close attention of the district traffic manager, Wanganui, and the stationmaster (New Plymouth). The board could rest assured that everything practicable would be done by the depart ment to ensure the prompt despatch of goods and obviate any unnecessary delay. , “There is still cause for complaint,” said Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, who refe 1 particularly to the carriage of petrol, which, he said, was held at New Plymouth, and not delivered to towns down the line till a week after the boat arrived, when 15 to 20 truckloads were sent down at the same time instead of a few truckloads being sent down from time to time. “It is not right,” said the speaker, “and there is no sense in that kind of thing.” As far as South Tarunaki was concerned, there were two alternatives of getting goods, both practically at the same price, though naturally direct shipments were preferred. No notification was given when the goods were to be expected, and it meant keeping men about at the other end for a week, when all the consignment was sent along at once. Goods could be cleared much faster if two or three truckloads were sent along at a time.” Notwithstanding the letter, there is still justification for complaint, added Mr. Wilkinson.