THE WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9116, 26 July 1888, Page 6

THE WHARF.

! TO THE EDITOR. Sir, The Auckland Harbour Board have been trying to organise a system of regulating the wheeled traffic upon the Queen-street \V narf, and have adopted a lot of new bylaws to that effect, but they have neglected the principal part in the matter—that is. carrying them out in a proper manner. If the members of our Board can sit down and frame a set of by-laws for regulating purposes, surely they can have them carried out in a proper manner. Now, I am sorry to say there has been a great want of foresight on the part of someone. First the new by-laws state that only six cabs are allowed upon the wharf at one time, and then not until a steamer is fast alongside. Well, that rule is broken every day; tor long before a steamer is within, twenty miles of Auckland, ' the cabs are allowed to stand in position. The consequence is the other cabmen come' to the head of the wharf, and as there is no person there to tell them how many cabs have gone down, they, as a matter of course, go down and see for themselves; then the Wharfinger comes out and threatens to summon them for a breach of the Board's regulations, when in the very first instance he allows some of the cabmen to break through the first law by standing on the wharf before a steamer u

made fast. I say if a by-law is worth the; valuable time of our members making, it is ; worth putting proper ly into force. Secondly, the expressmen are not allowed to ply for j hire upon the wharf on any consideration without percnismon of the wharfinger. Well they, aa a matter of course, wander down the wharf and leave their carts behind sheds and other remote places while they go alongside the steamer and seek employment as *1311 al. Now, some of these days & horse or two attached to such carts will, being unprotected, take fright, rush up the wharf, and perhaps kill somebody: then the Board will suddenly find out that their laws are not strictly adhered to. Then the wharfinger has got to see that these by-laws are carried out, and he has also to be at the steamer's side, and see that she is put in her place. While he is engaged mooring her, the oabs, etc., are coming down upon aim, and when he. looks around he finds a crowd of cabs, express carts, and trucks all together, plying for hire. Apparently the Board suppose that the wharfinger can be at the head of. the wharf and at the bottom berthing vessels at the same. time. The regulating system should be carried out at the top end of the wharf, which means another man. Safety to the travelling public should be studied. At the present time the wharf is very dull, and consequently the wharfinger's work is not very heavy; but times may revive shortly, then there will have to be something done, but now is the time to put into good shape, and when it is wanted it will be appreciated by those who have occasion to use the wharf.l am, etc., • . Auckland, July 241,1888. ? Organise.