SOUTH WESTLAND SHIPPING SERVICE.

Grey River Argus, 5 December 1921, Page 8

SOUTH WESTLAND SHIPPING SERVICE.

(To tho Editor). Sir, —Will you grant me space in your valuable paper in order to reply to your noble correspondent’s letter signed “LA. Jolly, ” the same gentleman I presume who in previous letters signs. His composition docs not blend with his private letters, so I presume his “secretary” has again come to his aid. He is a poor press correspondent, who cannot reply to my letter concerning his incapabilities of supplying properly the Southern trade without bringing in the writer’s private affairs which is absolutely uncalled for. What is more, I challenge him to show proof of his statements, mainly his remarks re prices paid and received for stock, etc. I could soon point out where signatures would arrive from( including the Far South) if a properly organised petition or appeal for fair play for supplying the necessities of life to the Southern settlers, were to be drawn up. I could also inform him of the results, to a certain stage, that would be accomplished to such an organised appeal, should ask Air Jolly to toddle down to this 11 Harbour River.” Perhaps after a thorough inspection, he might be persuaded to observe it is an extremely “large” river—perhaps it is large enough for youngsters to sail their boats on! Unless he refers to the lagoon at the mouth of the Turnbull! I have reason to believe Okuru would much prefer the “Hinemoa” to the present unsatisfactory service. Again I challenge Air Jolly to cxpla n his statement how he is landing stores at Bruce Bay under £4 per ton if the whole of his cargo is carried by weight 1 did not find it necci.'ary to ’'twist” any portion of his letter, it was already very badly “twistci” from start to finish. The number of letters sent from settlers effected was sufficient proof! So, when I state the “Dincmoa” has never had to wait at :.ry part of the Coast for suitable weather to land at Bruce Bay, except the occasion some years ago that has already be mentioned, I do not “twist” his letter. I know of no wire sent from me refusing to pay freight charges. Aly intention was to withhold payment until my goods were delivered at the port to which they were consigned. 1 still intend to withhold such charges. Being the only settler now in that locality it was evidently considered unnecessary to land, so the goods were dumped at another port, evidently in a belief that one individual’s agitation would have no effect upon the high gallop. But unfortunately it will not and cannot, last very very long. Can a pigeon possibly carry five cwt of flour and several cwt of other foodstuffs in addition to tools and horse feed, —horse feed that shold have arrived month’s ago, and not now when natural feed is so plentiful? I daresay I am in a position to know’ and understand the settlers requirements here. My perceptive powers arc not wholly undeveloped. llis remarks as regards prices paid and received for stock arc I presume a “sneer” at the many effected settlers, who are victims to the stock Very few arc exempt from a partial loss on stock. Air Jolly now states he is obliging settlers by taking away a back load (at what I consider an excessive frieght charge) and expects exporters to pay labour for loading and rowing all outward cargo to his vessel anchored about half a mile out at sea. I thing it would be more profitable for everyone affected to write and purchase his vessel for an eel-jfishiing expedition in tho “Harbour River” and pay him handsomely to keep out of sight in the future. —I am etc., ERIC ED. JAMES. . Paringa, South Westland, November 21.