A CARTAGE MONOPOLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 174, 26 July 1887, Page 4

A CARTAGE MONOPOLY.

We can hardly believe that the 'interpretation placed by Mr Jalrins in a letter published elsewhere upon Capt. McKenzie'smotionattheHarbour Board relative to tlie letting of a tender for all cartage on Auckland wharves is the correct one, although the wording of the motion scarcely admits of any other interpretation. The motion runs as follows :—

lij That the Board invite tenders for receiving and carting of goods on all the Auckland . wharves? for a term of three years, with the' exception of timber and coal. Tenderers to state rate per ton for cartage, including receiving for a radius of halt'-a--mile, one mile, mile and a-half, and two miles. 2. That the engineer to the Board be instructed to prepare plans and estimated cost of shed accommodation for 2,000 tons on a convenient part of the reclamation, to lie let to the successful tenderer at a rental, to pay interest on construction, and ground rental, say 10 per cent, per annum.

The subject comes on at the Board this, afternoon too late lor. us to learn the result, but we can assure members beforehand that the mercantile public will not for . a moment tolerate the setting up. of such a monopoly. The Board ought long ago to have' taken into consideration the question of receiving and shed accommodation on the wharves, with respect to which Auckland. is behind every other port of importance in the colony. But the proposal to compel every business firm in Auckland to accept the Board's contractor for the cartage of all goods received on the wharves " except timber, and coal," appears to us too preposterous to call for serious discussion.