An Explanation.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5710, 18 December 1889, Page 3

An Explanation.

[TO THIS EDITOE. 1

Sin,—As your report of tho Harbor Board meeting makes no reference to tho remarks I made on the subject of a letter from the wharfinger about rates on coastal wool landed, permit me to say—(l) That the wool was not landed by the Kahu for the convenience of the New Zealand Shipping Company, but beoauee it-was too wet to put it on the Orari's deck, the ship being nearly loaded, and the steamer having to return to Wellington same night. (2) In all similar oases where wool is so landed tho charge is borne by the owner of the wool, not the ship, therefoie, the wharfinger should have applied to Missis Richardson and Co. and not to myself. (3). Tho only question for the Board to decide was whether wool landed through stress of weather was liable to pay 6d or Iβ per bale wharf ago ; the Board dotormined to exact tho higher rate, a mistake as it seems to me, for it is exactly double the price charged by the Wellington Harbor Board for a, similar service, aud it will probably tend to divert our coast wool to that port. Already a ojneiderablo quantity goes there, and more will follow if our Harbor Board do not adopt a more enlightened policy. As I have to provide tonnage for the balk of tho wool exported from Hawke's Bay, I think I am in a fait position to judge the effect of a high taritt, and although, it mskea no difference to me personally whether the wool is shippod at Napier or Wellington I should very much prefer seeing it shipped direct.~-I am, &c, W. J, WILLCOCKS.