CHARGES ON BENZINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1922, Page 5

CHARGES ON BENZINE.

NEW PLYMOUTH TO HAWERA. The following letter has been received by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce from the Hawera Chamber of Commerce:— Hawera, November 27. Dear Sir—At the last meeting of this chamber I was directed to ask your chamber to look into the matter of a charge which has been made on a consignment of benzine ex-ship for Hawera. This charge of 6d per package appears to ,be made on all goods landed at the breakwater, but as it penalises especially the landing of benzine for forward shipment to the extent of 14s per ton, my chamber considers that the matter should be taken up with the Department, as .there can be no good reason for this charge on through freight, as no doubt once it is placed in trucks at the breakwater there should be no further handling. Your enquiry andadvice on the matter will be appreciated, as an extra charge of 6d per case on benzine in large quantities is often a question of some moment to the purchaser and cap be avoided by landing at other ports. The Taranaki Chamber has replied as follows:

Our enquiries show that if such a charge were made it is obviously an error. On benzine ex a direct ship the cost of railing to Hawera a ton averaging 28 cases is as under: Wharfage 3s, railage £2 4»j lOd, total £2 7s lOd. It should be noted no sorting charges are imposed on these bulk shipments. Full enquiries have been made from the Railway Department, which verifies the above ‘figures. All wharfage handling and other charges at this port work out at about l£d per case on direct shipments of benzine, a rate this chamber believes to be the lowest of any port in New Zealand. If you will supply details of the transaction complained of, giving date, name of consignor and consignee, further enquiries will be made. It is suggested by this chamber as a possible explanation that through lack of familiarity with charges at this port the benzine may have been railed to New Plymouth station, and thence despatched by motor lorry. In such cases we have known heavy storage charges to be incurred through delay on the part of the carrier in taking delivery.

It is particularly desired that further details of the transaction be given, as on benzine the rates are so particularly low that we cannot understand the complaint. If an overcharge has been made this chamber will H&e every endeavor to secure a refund.