GOODS DAMAGED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32314, 15 September 1943, Page 5

GOODS DAMAGED

TROUBLE AT THE WHARF

PROTEST TO THE COUNCIL

STOREKEEPER’S COMPLAINT

Claiming that the manner in which their goods were handled on the Ngatea wharf was far from satisfactory the manager of Messrs W. Ratcliffe and Son lodged a strong protest with Wednesday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council.

Messrs Ratcliffe and Son wrote to the county clerk as under: — “Will you please place before your council the following facts regarding the way my cargo is landed at the Ngatea wharf. For some time now my fruit, drinks and other goods, have been broken into, stolen and damaged. “I have not complained before, knowing what wartime conditions we are working under but the manner in which last Wednesday’s cargo was landed forces me to do so. “I cannot better explain than that the boat was brought into the shed

and tipped out. I bad 30’ bottles of waters missing, 12 x 2 syrup useless, 18 oranges at 4M each, 101 b apples At 4Bd lb. and other goods damaged. This is rather too much considering the amount of freight we are paying and the wharfage also. “I certainly should be pleased if something could be done to improve this state of affairs. Also may I ask you to approach your council regarding a light in the shed for when the boat is late unloading, to have to search for your goods with a torch is not very convenient.” Mr A. H. Sutton said he had had similar complaints from Turua. He blame'd the shipping companies for some of the trouble. The service needed re-organising.

Mr J. Mayn said the council should certainly put a light in the shed. It was decided to write to the shipping company pointing out the loss of goods in transit and the clerk was instructed to arrange for a light to be put in the shed.