AUCKLAND HARBOUR CHARGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14625, 10 September 1909, Page 4

AUCKLAND HARBOUR CHARGES

TRANSHIPPED GOODS.

(Fsoai Oue Own Cokbesjokdent.)

AUCKLAND, September 8. Some discussion took place at the meeting of the Harbour Board in committee, when the new by-laws were under consideration. The Chairman (Hon. E. Mitchelson) took exception to the principle of allowing goods to be transhipped to other ports which were not on the bill of lading. Mv Kncan said that the system allowed anyone so disposed to plunder the board. Sales were not made until the vessel arrived, aud the Harbour Board was putting up sheds for " a lot of pirates," who competed with meu who went to the expens? of putting up buildings on shore. Thsy escaped handling and cartage charges, and also escaped payment of half the import and the whole of the export charges when they transhipped to places not mentioned in the bill of lading. On the other hand, it was contended by Messrs Entrican and M'Farlane that it was impossible to include such information in the bills of lading. Goods were bought in London or elsewhere, and then sold t> othe.- places long before they arrived in Auckland. It was only fair that transhipping shoald be allowed. The clause dealing with the question of transhipment was altered so that, instead of 48 hours' iioti&e of intention to tranship being given within the time of the vessel's arrival, notice must now bo given within 24 hours of the vessel being bai'thed^