THE DISCHARGING OF VESSELS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8523, 1 November 1888, Page 5

THE DISCHARGING OF VESSELS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION., Christchurch, October 31,

At the Harbour Board meeting to-day it was announced that the Board's income for the month was £3550, The Chairman reported I was invited to attend a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, last week to discuss the discharge of English ships, more particularly in reference to the delay to ships discharging at Gladstone pier. 1 accepted the invitation, and afterward went to Lyttelton with Mr Garstiu, the traffic manager, and Mr Bradley, the manager of the Lyttelton department. The system of discharging might be greatly improved if the whole cargo was put direct into the shod, but this would entail an additional post of from 6d to Is per ton, which merchants desire to avoid at the present. The plan of inspecting goods in Auckland at the ship’s side leads to delay, as packages that are required for Customs purposes have to be picked out and sent to the shed before the balance can be forwarded to Christ, church, bat it is the cheapest way of treating the cargo. In the case of the Marlborough no unreasonable delay took place, as I find this vessel was discharged in sixteen working days. She ‘ might have been discharged in less time had both' hatches been worked all the time; hut this course was only adopted ‘during two and a half days, the ship’s crew being employed to do the' work. Delays of this kind will be lessened year by year by the introduction of cargo steamers to take the place of sailing ships. No complaint is made in regard to the handling of steamers’ cargo, except in the matter of passengers’ luggage. I think the Collector of Customs should be asked to arrange that passengers’ luggage or packages that are in the baggage room should be examined on the deck of the steamer on her arrival, and allowed to pass without having to go into the shed. This conrse is adopted in several of the.principal ports in the world, and would he a great convenience to passengers arriving in the port of Lyttelton. Many merchants are of opinion that goods should be sent direct from the ship' to Christchurch for Customs examination, but as this would involve a provision of stores in Christchurch, I do not think the Government would be likely to entertain the proposal, particularly as they get store in Lyttelton free of rent from the Harbour Board. Delays very often take place in Lyttelton from the neglect of consignees to pass entries immediately on arrival of the ship. The railway authorities have promised to take into consideration the question of giving special facilities to vessels wishing to discharge their cargoes without sorting through the Gladstone sheds. . 1 think if this alternative arrangement is carried out, there will be no difficulty in dealing with the now excessive charge levied upon goods thus dealt with.” It was resolved that the Government should be asked to make arrangements for the luggage of passengers being examined on the ship's deck.