THE TONGARIRO.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 86, 9 February 1876, Page 2

THE TONGARIRO.

(to TiiK KIUTOU OK THE I'ATKA MAIL.) Sir. —In your issue of this morning you coin-plaint of the; manner the business of the Tongariro is managed at your port. No doubt a dissatisfied feeling exists amongst a few' of the steamer’s customers, but this would seem to arise, from a misconception’ as to where owners’ duties end, and consignees begin. On behalf of the steamer it is sought in all matters to act in ,coiTfnrmit\' with the custom of trade in other colonial parts. When a vessel has reached port, her freight is earned and due, and goods arc at the risk of consignees so soon as clear of the ship's slings. If you take Wellington or Wanganui as an instance, every importer, largo or small, mi the arrival of a vessel by which he may have cargo, sends to the Agent's office. there pays freight, gets an order for delivery of his goods, and even if freight is prepaid ho equally applies at the office for a delivery order ; this he he'entrusts'to - his authorised agent, be it the wharfingers or Ids carters, and it is given up . to the ship on receiving the goods.’ Now,’ there is no exception to this custom, and now the business of these ports' proceed without a jar, whereas at patca it seems to be a continual game of cross purposes. Further having boon a party some three years ago to appeal from the iI.M Court, 1 can say positively that tbiis custom is well founded. The diffien'tv at Paten, is the want of a rospon-

the steamers, find probably it will not b<* settled until some heavy loss is incurred. 8m •pose a consignee Jails to attend to tax 3 delivery ot : .his goods whan landed) and while Ins cargo lies exposed on the wharf, a squall causes costly damage, then tin; loss will be found to be the consequence. Whilst goods are by the fault of the consignee left on the ship agent's hands, tin; agent has to exercise such care tor their protection as is within hispower.bi.it in storing them it is at the risk and cost ot the consignee. 1 have no knowledge of the- clnmi ynit or ln»w it is maiit* up, bntJC,' as you say, delivery was not taken by four o'clock the agent would Seem to'do right lu taking to store, and the owners, I b ilicve, will support him in making .such charges as are admitted by the scale of the W •lliagton Chamber of t.'ommerce. Tic language you use in staling the case is that ot a partizan. and knowing the obliging disposition of Captain Clhbous, 1 cannot credit that if application was made for these packages hut that they would have he m duly delivered.'The agent, how •ver, acts on general instructions indicated above, and in this (ho owners of ilie Tongariro seek only to establish th • usage of other ports. If any importer considers this is being exceeded in arbitrary fashion, let his complaint, fairly stated, he referred to any leading Wellington merchant, and owners will conform te the result. As a shareholder in the steamer, and believing that tins (explanation may help to pur matters in better trim, 1 trust you .will spare spa.ee for its insertion hi your next, issue. 1 arh Ye.. dOlfN DFTHIE, T v Wanganui, Feb. o, LS ( !‘>.