AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 223, 20 September 1893, Page 2

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

RECEIVING OF CARGO,

SPECIAL MEETING,

THE QUESTION SHELVED,

At the special mooting of the Auckland Harbour Board held yesterday afternoon to consider bho vexed question of the receiving and delivery of goods on the Auckland wharves, a considerable amount of discussion took place after we went to press. . , j With reference to the petition presented by twonty-one grain and produce importers asking the Board nob to alter the presenb system of handling grain and produce on the wharves, Mr McCorquodale, and Mr A. Bell both objected bo the Board making any change in the presenb system, and supported bho pebition. They abated thab tho existing manner in which gram and produce waa handled was perfectly satisfactory. Mr McCorquodale complained that the Chamber of Commerce had ignored the grain and produce merchants in this matter. Mr C. V. Houghton moved, " That pending the completion of tho new goods shed on the Queen-street Wharf (eastern_ tee), and the appointment of a new wharfinger, the consideration of the queation of receiving and delivoring cargo on the wharves be deferred till this day twelve months." Mr E. W. Alison "seconded this motion. MrM. Niccol moved, "That tha Board, in considering this question, confine its action bo consignments of goods arriving by English ships." He stated thab ib was only cargoes by English ships that caused all this trouble. He considered that if the agents of direct steamers wished to get their cargoes out with extra expedition and to work cargo night and day, they should bo compelled to employ an extra staff of men to classify tho goods, at tho ship's expense. He considered the Customs were somewhat to blame. He did not think they had any reason to moddlo with the grain business. Mr R. Farrell thought that tho Customs officials wero too much bound up with red. tapo. In tho vory alight experience he had of tho Customs, he had found the officers in thab department most uncivil and overofficious.

Mr Porter supported Mr Houghfeon'e motion, and considorod that tho bosb way would bo to hang the matter up pending tho completion of the bij; shed on tho Queon3treet Wharf and tho appointment of tho now wharfinger. The Chairman (Mr Crowthor) paid ho would vote for Mr Niccol's motion. It was nob necessary to look twelve months ahead, and they should deal with emergencies ns they arose. Mr Niccol aeked to bo allowed t.o add his motion to Mr Houghton'a motion, but ilr Houcjhton objoctod. Mr Niccol's motion, to tho ofFect that vessels only arriving from English ports with cargo be etibjactod to tho action takon by the Board, with reference to tho receiving of cargo, w.ie then discussod Bomowhat warmly. Mr Alison strongly opposod Mr Niccol's motion, and expressed himself opposed to tho proposal that the Board should take over tho receiving of cargo. Mr Devoro also thought that the Board fihould nob take over tho receiving of cargo. Tho Board could not handle cargo so expeditiously or «3 choaply as tho receivers and importorp could if loft to thetnsdvos. Mr Devoro moved: "That bins Board, having heard tho deputations of merchants and receivers on tho question of tho receiving of cargo, and having fully considered bho quoation, aro ot opinion that it in not in the interosts of tho cuinmunity or tha Board thnb the Board should underbako the receiving of cargo." An amendment by Mr Henderson, to the off'ecttliab not alteration bo made in th existing arrantfowants, other than thab tho bylaws of tho Board be strictly onforccd, was lost Ml" Portor moved as an amendmcnl, " That tho Board having hoard tho sclienio of tho receivers of cargo, tho same bo doclinod." This amondment waa agreed to, and Mr Houghton'd motion waa withdrawn. Accordingly the question of receiving cargo waa shelved, so far ac the Board was j concernod.