CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 992, 14 May 1862, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

On Friday last a meeting of the members of the Lyttelton Chamber of Commerce was held at Mr. Louisson's Rooms, Oxford-street, to consider a communication from the Commissioner of Customs, Auckland, in reply to a letter from the Chamber, dated 20th January last, protesting against the newly-introduced custom of including the outside battens in the measurement of packages for duty. The following is a copy of theletter:— " Office of Commissioner of Customs, "Auckland, 7th April, 1862. • " Sir,—ln reply to your letter to me of the 20th January, 1862, respecting the method adopted at the port of Lyttelton of measuring packages for the assessment of duty, I have the honor to state that the practice at the port of Auckland is to take the cubic measurement of the external package or case, throwing off the battens, and that Mr. Hamilton has been instructed to adopt the same course. " I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your most obedient Servant, "Reader Wood." After some discussion it was moved by Mr. Peacock, seconded by Mr. Trew: —That in the opinion of this Chamber the levying of duty by measurement, including the external battens on cases, &c, which has been exacted at this port since December last by the Collector of 11. M. Customs is illegal, and that all extra duties so levied should be refunded forthwith to the several importers, and that a copy of this resolution, together with a copy of the Hon. the Commissioner of .Customs letter of 7th April on this subject be forwarded to the Collector of Customs here.