CARGO PILLAGING

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1927, Page 4

CARGO PILLAGING

DUNEDIN DISCLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY. DUNEDIN, Aug. 30. Pillaging of cargo on overseas boats is going on, and Dunedin being the last port of discharge on the New Zealand coast, it is often censured for its heavy claims. Shipping men, when interviewed, differed on the eau-so of pillaging, one saying that waterxidera were responsible, and another placing the blame on tho ship's crows. However, there seems to bo unanimity in local shipping circles that Dunedin is blamed For pillaging

which takes place -at the ports of loading, on the voyage out, and on the New Zealand coast. One company gave us an instance that it recently paid a claim for £45 for a. pillaged case of hats, and investigations had proved that the case had been found pillaged at Uvttblton. “Our claims for all risks amount to a considerable sum in twelve months, but only a portion is for pillage,” said the company’s representative. -Claims embraced breakages, water damage and shortages. Cargo was knocked about by being dragged over other cargo when discharging at other ports, and damage was also caused by the swinging of slings and tramping over stacks. Tliesc claims coulcl not be attributed to pillage, and Dunedin could not bo blamed for pillage because of other heavy claims due to damage at other ports.

Last year pillage worked out. at G.fj-ld per ton and cargo unaccounted for at 5.35 d per ton. That was on cargo from tho West of England ports. The decrease from claims for the year 1925 was 7.4C4d. Last year pillage oil New York steamers was 4.03 d, and the shortage was 0.74 d, making a total of 4.82 d. In 1925 pillage amounted to 3.25 d and the shortage was O.fild. making a total of 5.86(1. Those figures showed an increase in pillage on American ships. The reason given for the higher pillage, aboard English ships was that cargo was more easily lifted and of a type wanted by pillagers. The bulk of tlie American importations was motor-ears.