CLOAKING THE CULPRITS

NZ Truth, Issue 508, 13 March 1915, Page 7

CLOAKING THE CULPRITS

Wrong-doing on the Wharf

Harbor Board and 'Tecs' * Reticence

(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.)

That the receiving and delivery of cargo from oversea ships be undertaken by the Otago Harbor Board. '. The above concise and comprehensive little motion caught "Truth's" eye the other day, and a long train of thought was loosened. It was seen that the mover of the' important little item was breezy Bill Belcher, who, In the course of his remarks, said- that, "Seeing that the Board's finances are getting a bit straitened, it was' about time the Board • took every piece of work it could whereby a little profit could be made." 8.111 said a lot more, but 'his remarks fell upon heedless' ears. . The members who attended the Harbor Board meeting in ' question were: Messrs, Moller (chairman), Dickson, Wilkinson, Scollay, London, Walker, Russell, Belcher, Tapley, Hamel, Ritchie, Haslett, and Platts. When Bill's motion was put, the chairman called for a seconder, and none being forthcoming; the motion lapsed. "Truth" believes there was a GREAT DEAL BEHIND BILL'SMOTION, though, perhaps, Bill himself did not realise it to the full. Bill put forth his motion merely to show an easy arid legitimate method for the ..Board to make a bit of coin toy attending to its own proper business. ■-.. I. Mill and Co. are receivers for the Harbor Board, and all- cargo for Dunedin from overseas passes through their hands. .The various materials, .of course, lie m their bond stores until the Customs duties are paid, when the said company delivers them as addressed.. Quite recently, however, certain goods, free of duty, passed on to the back's of cer» tain pretty ladles about town. Naturally, the firms concerned . did not fail to register a complaint m the proper quarter. It- is alleged that there are several articles out. now,. however, that have escaped duty, including blouses and a set of furs, vahie £40. The latter were presented from the ship right on to the back of a pretty young lady. The importing firm missed the furs and the detectives were put "moving. . A certain detective, .it is said, got on the track of the "groper" who passed the articles on. The lady gave the. furs to the firm, and the "foorco" then dropped the case, despite the fact that a theft had been committed, and the Customs authorities duped. This, it is alleged, is just one solitary example that goes to show the great wisdom of Bill Belcher's reminder to the Harbor Board. Meantime, the Customs authorities do not mean to let the matter drop, for the furs m question reached the lady's back, and ultimately the im- . porting firm, free of duty. The detective is said to have been the OBLIGING OR MENACING MEDIUM. Of course there. was a lady and a big firm to be considered. Just another little sample of how the' law looks sideways at the indiscretions of the fair (with a pull) and the -great. , Will the Customs act? "Truth" thinks they will, and pretty sternly. too. Will the "foorce" act? And what about the Harbor Board? In the face of the treatment meted out to good old Bill's motion, and the glum silence of the Board, "Truth" may havo a lot to say at some future 'time anent the same Board — its construction and its doings. As it is, Mr. Belcher's timely motion gives the whole cake away. Having regard to nil the circumstances, "Truth" would not be far wrong m characterising the Board's Icy Indifference to matters that Intimately concern the public, the latter luminous conglomeration should awaken and ask itself a few questions. Among the queries that suggest themselves are the following? Who are the members of the Harbor Board? What firms locally (if any) are any of them connected with, as shareholders or otherwise? What objection has the' Board to becoming Its own bond-keepers, receivers and deliverers? These 'queries are very pertinent, and if answered at all accurately the answers would be a deal more surprising than any par. m this article. "Truth" also understands that the Customs authorities experience considerable annoyance at times owing to the disappearance of dutiable articles. Though Bill Belcher's motion, if carried, would affect the firm of J. Mill and Co., In their capacity of bondstorers, "Truth" has to say that the leading lights m J. Mill and Co.'s firm are entirely Innocent of any connection, reputed or otherwise, with . the tricky transactions above hinted at. It is suspected that some members of the Harbor Board are cloaking something. Bill Belcher knows nothing; he was merely eager for a little pin money for tho "Boord." In tho meantime, despite tho dear detective's discernment over the 40 quid furs, the Customs may move.