CARGO PILLAGING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18380, 21 April 1923, Page 11

CARGO PILLAGING.

HERITAGE OF CENTURIES.

DECLINE IN WELLINGTON". *

Pillage 'on the waterfront, however regrettable it may be, is by no means an innovation. It has been a source of much difficulty in trade circles .right down through the centuries. Thousands of pounds were lost by this means in bygone days. As is said to be the case with the poor, it appears as if it will always be with us.

" Some of us are inclined to think that pillage is modern," said Mr. M. Cohen, speaking in a reminiscent vein at a Wellington Harbour Board meeting with reference to his recent trip to England. ""Nothing of the kind. . . It has always been with us." In the year, 1798. he added, there were no fewer than 11,000 reputed thieves on the London waterfront. In one year losses from this source had amounted to £500,000. The East India Company alone that year lost £150,000 through pillage. The thieves were well organised in gangs, while barges were cut adrift and ransacked. To prevent such depredations water police were, instituted. Speaking later, Mr. J. B. McEwan drew attention to the very satisfactory fact that there had been a very considerable decrease in pillaging as far as the Port of Wellington is concerned. The total imports last year amounted to £9,688,791. Out of this large sum there had only been one actual pillage claim, totalling £328. From this the sum of £176 could be deducted, due to short delivery, accidental damage, etc. Pillage claims for the previous year amounted to £564, and the year before that the sum of £1670 had been claimed. ** Although there .have, been big claims years ago," said Mr. McEwan, "I think these ' figures will show that Wellington has a very good record, and one of which we have every reason to feel proud." .';