CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 262, 6 February 1873, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

RATES OP CARTAGE. (To the Editor.) Sir, — I wish to draw public attention to what I consider an impudent attempt to profit at the expense of the entire community. Some time ago I ordered goodfi from Dunedin. In due course of time these goods were forwarded to a certain carrying agent. I was surprised to receive goods ordered a fortnight to three weeks afterwards (which, by the way, had been sent to a different carrying agent) before those T had first sent for. On making inquiries, I found that the agent to which the first lot of goods had been sent refußed to give any loading to a carrier unless he agreed to take up goods for a certain firm for 353. a ton, that is from 15s. to 255. below the usual rate. The carrying agent aforesaid offered L 3 to L 3 10s. for goods belonging to other parties, thus making the other tradesmen in Lawrence mere tools for the said firm. The carrier very properly refused the terms. Now the consequence of this state of affairs is that I have not got my goods. If they arrived within a reasonable time afterl ordered them, T wouldhave disposed of them and made a handsome profit ; but now they are quite unsaleable. 1 think the business people of Lawrence should mark their sense of the reprehensible'conduct of this carrying agent in a manner that he will not readily forget. As regards the firm benefiting from his practices, I suppose they don't care for public opinion so long as they make a few shillings in the way of " business," so I will say nothing about them. -Yours truly, Honesty.