HARBOUR REGULATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5585, 18 January 1879, Page 7

HARBOUR REGULATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —In your issue of this morning there is a report of proceedings against me for a breach of the Harbour Regulations. Now, Sir, will you allow me space in your valuable paper to bring before the public more fully the foots of the case. On Friday last, I had orders from the Harbour Master to remove my vessel, the John Knox, from (he Tunnel wharf to Peacock’s on Saturday evening, and (hat a berth would bo clear for me. I consented to do so, but on making enquiry from the captain of the vessel lying at Peacock’s wharf, the Adolphoi, before two witnesses I was told be would nob be finished discharging till noon on Saturday. On Monday morning at six a.m. the Harbour Master came on board, and ordered me to cost off from the wharf, haul alongside of the Adelphoi, remain alongside till she was finished discharging, and then take her place. I refused to give my berth up till the berth at Peacock’s was clear, as I arrived in harbour before tho vessel I was to make way for, and according to rule 57 of the Harbour Regulations I was entitled to my berth till I had finished unloading. Tho Harbour Master then took possesion of my vessel, hauled her off to one of (he buoys and loft her there, thereby causing mo to lose all day, as the vessel was aground at half-tide. During the proceedings, the Harbour Master, on oath, said I was over my time at tho wharf, and that during my time there I hod plenty of trucks to carry on my work. Now, Sir, I arrived alongside of tho wharf on Deo. 30, discharged that day one truck load, the next day two. As tho railway people wanted some piles wo had for a bridge that was carried away, I asked permission to land a few pieces of timber on the wharf, as there was no truck, so that I could got at tho piles, but 1 was told nothing was to be landed on account of next day being New Year’s Day, so the railway did not get what was wanted so much till Thursday or Friday. Since (hen the timber vessels were almost stopped two days for want of bolsters, which some of the captains now in Port can prove. I offered some pieces of timber that would have done for bolsters, but they would not use (hem, so that I bod to turn my cargo over (which was not an easy matter) to keen tho work going. Now, Sir, in the face of these facts, how could the Harbour Master swear I had no cause for delay ? Ho likewise said it was for (ho general accommodation of tho shipping that I was shifted—that is, I could afford to lose my time to allow tho Charles Deering to discharge, because her agents made a bad bargain for tho charterers hero. Will the Harbour Master explain how it was ho allowed the Adolphoi to take in all her ballast before she discharged her cool ? If that vessel bad been made to take in sufficient ballast to make her safe, then put out all her cargo, and haul off on Saturday, there woula have been no trouble about shifting, but no, sir, the John Knox is a favourite vessel, she is to

be at the command of any one, knocked about for the benefit of others at a loss to her owner. No matter what trouble lam put to, I hare no remedy, as, according to the decision of the Bench, they are bound to uphold the Harbour Authorities,—l am, &c , JAMES O. DAVIS, Master John Knox.