DIRECT SHIPPING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3336, 11 December 1883, Page 3

DIRECT SHIPPING.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —By 'an advertisement in the papers it seems there is always a vessel available for direct loading under the Breakwater at Timaru bearing the Shaw Savill and Albion Company’s flag. Now I tbink, in justice to the Port of Timaru, this is misleading. The Seatoller, it is true, loaded on their behalf, but how much of her cargo was shipped by their agents ? Only a small quantity, as I see by the list of shippers by her ; end is there likely to bo any other to follow the Seatoller ? 1 have not heard of any, and it seems there will be none as a large quantity of wool went by the Eotorua and Beautiful Star on Tuesday, for transhipment to vessels of this Company loading, at Port Chalmers. The New Zealand Shipping Company has the Ganymede here, to be followed by the Cingalese, and others will be chartered as the cargo comes to hand. I think in justice to the town and port of Timaru, merchants should send their produce by direct ships, for several reasons —a few I will mention and then the public may judge how it is that trade is dull. (1). Vessels in port are always requiring stores of every description, which they can purchase in the town. (2). When vessels are in port men find employment on board, at the landing service, on the wharf, at the stores, carting &c., which would give employment to at least 100 men. Each man earning say at least £2 per week would give £2OO to spend in town every week for food, clothing, fuel, &c.,without what the ships spend, and then the trade in town would he brisker, whereas if the produce goes coastiwise there are not near so many people employed ; and those who are, are working a few hours occasionally, and the remainder have to walk about doing nothing. Merchants now complain that there is no trade, and that it is not safe to trust anyone, as they are not sure when they can get their money. If anyone was to stand at the railway crossing when there are several vessels in port, and again when there aro none, they would see the correctness of the above remarks. When vessels are in port, it is hardly safe for person lo go down on the Breakwater for fear of being run over by passing conveyances; at other times, nursegirls may go in a body with their porambuiators and need not bo afraid. This is the difference between the dull and brisk times. Give us plenty of direct ships, and the town will go-ahead, and everyone will bo content. —I am, &c., Advance Tijiaeu.