BOARD AND MERCHANT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 99, 23 October 1924, Page 9

BOARD AND MERCHANT

EXAMINATION OF GOODS

"CANNOT (ACCEPT RESPONSD3ILITY."

."I feel it my duty,on your behalf to make a public statement in regard to a certain complaint about the conduct of the Harbour Board in failing to protect the interest of merchants, which was given prominent,publicity recently," remarked the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. G. Mitchell, at the board meeting last evening. "The Harbour Board's charges are, as far as I can learn, . the lowest in the . Southern Hemisphere, for which the board is giving services to the ship and the merchant alike which are not excelled in any part of the vvorld. • '

"We cannot possibly accept the lfability of examining merchants' goods discharged at this port, and notifying them •of damage or loss. It is clearly the merchants' duty to examine their own goods before taking delivery, and while we frequently notify merchants where damage is detected, we cannot' accept any responsibility in the matter, neither from the ships' nor the point of view. , ■ . . ■ ■..: "\ '■ ".

"I regret very much that, some merchants feel disposed to take their -complain^ to the Chamber of Commerce before coming to the Harjiour, Board and having their case, investigated. We are only too anxious to do everything to help merchants, and I invite anyone who has agrievance to come at once to the general:'manager, when the case will be fully investigated and explained, ,and,' if necessary, brought before the board, and I can assure them of a courteous reception, a thorough .investigation of their case, and absolute justice by the board."