A GRIEVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10099, 7 April 1896, Page 3

A GRIEVANCE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— you grant me space iu yout columns for the following statement of a personal grievance, which nevertheless seems to me of a nature to seriously concern the whole community? A friend of mine in England sent me by the s.s. Rakaia a box of rather valuable books, as a contribution towards replacing the l'okeno Public Library, which was destroyed by fire last winter. I was informed by letter there would be twenty bound books and three yellow-backs or paper covers. When the case arrived here the books had. been taken out of the cloth wrapper sewn round them and tossed back loose into the box. there are only eighteen in all, and three first volumes are missing. My friend had paid freight and every charge that could be paid in England, yet the expenses here amounted to 13s. Of that, 5s was set down as customs entry, although books are duty free. I have written statinir the case to the local manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, as I presume he is bound to take all reasonable care for the safo delivery o! goods entrusted to the Company, but ha does not vouchsafe any answer to my complaint, and I should be glad to know if there is any possible means of obtaining redress. Perhaps, upon seeing my address, the gentlemen in possession of the three first volumes may see tit to forward them to me by parcel post.—l am, etc., Pokeuo, April 4. Harriet Johnston.