HARBOR BY-LAWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2199, 1 October 1907, Page 1

HARBOR BY-LAWS.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board, the Finance Committee recommended: — “Ro Harbormaster’s fees —That bylaw No. 40 be amended by altering the -Itli clause, page 10, to read as follows: ‘For steamers of 120 tons register and upwards, fo roadstead 'only, Id per ton register on arrival, but so that the owner, master, or agent of such vessel shall not be called upon to pay more than Gd per ton •register in any half-year. For steamers of 120 tons register and upwards entering the Turanganui. river. Id per ton register 011 arrival. “Re storage in cargo sheds—That by-law No. 73, page 17, be amendetf by substituting 48 hours in lion of 24 hours.”

: Mr. Lysnar, who had a notice of motion to the same effect, asked that the matter be adjourned to next meeting, owing to the absence of Mr. Hepburn, who was strongly opposed to any change. Mr. Hepburn’s objections had a good deal in them, as by extending the hours it might lead to blockage at the sheds. From later inquiry lie was given to understand that the by-laws were working fairly well.—Adjournment agreed to. Air. John H. Ormond wrote:—“As fair-minded men, I ask you to refund 16s, storage on goods consigned to me from Melbourne by s.s. Monowai to Wellington, and transhipped to Gisborne, owing to the following reasons: Immediately on receipt of invoice and bill of lading I paid Customs duty, then tendered the bill of lading to the Union S.S. Co., and was told that the Monowai’s cargo would have to be transhipped at- Wellington, and would. not bo here for some time (Sept. 10th then). I asked them to let. me 'know as soon as it arrived. Sinco that date I have been expecting to hear from them, and as I have urgently been wanting tho goods, I inquired yesterday (Sept. 18th) at tho office, and was told that there was nothing for me, but that there were some goods at the wharf consigned to “order.” These eventually turned out to he mine. Now as there was no neglect ori my part (unless you exiled consignees personally to stand by tlie wharf and watch their goods coming in), nor on the part of my carriers, the Frozen Meat Co., Ltd., who have been instructed to bring up all m.v goods immediately on arrival, nor on the Union S.S. Co.’s part, 1 consider the charge under the above circumstances grossly unfair.”

The secretary (Air Witty) explained that when goods were consigned to “order” there was no moans of knowing to whom tho goods were consigned until claimed.

Air. Lysnar said the facts had been related to him, and he was satisfied a bona fide mistake had been i: < de. There was no occasion to insist i.jc-n the strict lettor of the by-law who’: it was proved that a mistake had teen made. These little pin pricks cnly caused irritation, and were, unnecessary considering the small amounts involved. It was not the Board’s desire, lie considered, to take advantage of mistakes, and the secretary should be allowed discretion. To meet tho case he moved :—“That Mr. Ormond’s request bo granted, and that /n future cases when there are mistakes for which the company is in no way to blame, the secretary be authorised to use his discretion, and make any allowance in any similar case.” Air. Alatthewson considered this would open up a path for many similar applications. The secretary said that when goods were consigned direct, the staff obliged firms by ringing thorn up should there be any delay in cartage, but in respect of goods coming to “order”’ there was nothing to guide them as to ownership until the documents were produced. Air. Alatthewson advised a' firm adherence to the by-laws to avoid trouble and disorganisation. Alessrs Clark and Harris held a similar view. It would only embroil the secretary in difficulty to allow him discretionary power. Firmness was the best way to manage affairs.

It was mentioned that the amountin dispute had beon paid, and that similar circumstances were not likely to arise very often. The motion failed to find a seconder, and lapsed.