FIRES ON WOOL-SHIPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11141, 3 December 1907, Page 2

FIRES ON WOOL-SHIPS.

: r^ NECESSITY OF INSPECTION. INCREASED COST TO SHIPPERS. The Government has under consideration, with a. view to possible legislation | next session, the recommendations of the Wool Fires Commission. In this connection (says the New Zealand Times) the member for Hutt has urged that for the of inspection a tax of twopence per bale should be imposed as a form, of duty on I flax and wool exported from the Dominion. ' v ■ ■ ■ This suggestion has the support of one ■ Of the members of the Commission, Mr VV. G. Foster, who, writing to Mr Wilford, forwards a rough statement prepared when the Commission Avas sitting, though not included m the printed report of the proceedings. "Since its preparation," says Mr Foster, "Lloyd's rates have been further increased, and tha Turakina mishap will not improve matters for future business. I may say that the increase m Lloyd's is the cost which was added to the Assets Board's premiums at that time, and may bo relied upon as correct. It has not formed part of the recommendations of the Commission, nor, m respect of the Turakina, of the annexe to the finding of the Court; but it has struck me that the scope of an inspector's duties might well be extended to the loading and stowing m the vessel's hold, especially m the case >of vessels carrying passengers." The table which Mr Foster attaches to his letter is instructive. This covers the wool and sheepskin shipments fronr the Dominion for the year ending September 30th, 1906, and shows:— £ Wool, 152,765,2321 b, valued at 7,332,954 Sheepskins 9,001.028, valued at 266,701 161,766,2501 b, valued at ...£7,599,657 The increased Lloyd's rates are equal to 2s 9d per cut., 0r £10,394 Taking 3£cwt.— -say, 4001b— as the average weight of bales, 161,766,250-404,465, which at 2d per bale would give ... 3,370 £7,024 The cost of appointments of inspectors — Auckland, GisborneBluff, Wanganui, and Waitara, Napier, Picton, Tiniaru, Dunedin—each £300 per annum ... 2,400 Wellington, Lytelton, each £350 700 Assistants, one each port (2)... 200 £3,300 An increased cost to the shipper of over £7000 inconsequence of fires, which, adds Mr Foster, by inspection as under the old system might have been prevented.