FIRES

Southland Times, Issue 19656, 5 October 1922, Page 4

FIRES

DAMAGE AT CEMENT WORKS. (Per United Press Association.) u AUCKLAND, October 3. A fire was caused at Wilson’s cement works at Warkworth at 3 a.m. to-day through a redhot clinker from, the rotary kilns falling on to the floor of the mills. The damage is estimated at £2OOO. Early discovery prevented further extensive damage. Operations were not stopped.

Upon whom does the responsibility fall for a package lest i«i passage through the parcels post? This question was raised by Mr C. H. Young at a recent meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr Young said that on two occasions recently his firm had had parcels test in transit, and the Post Office declined to accept responsibility. He did not wish to make a complaint, as it had only occurred twice in seven years, hut he would like to know to what extent, the department was legally responsible. The chief postmaster (Mr H. D. Grocott) explained to a Post representative that in the event of any damage occurring during transit* ‘his Majesty may, with his own consent, be liable to pay compensation to the owner, but not exceeding a greater sum that £2 in respect of an uninsured parcel, provided the special “fragile” fee of 6d or 9d, where necessary, has been paid. No compensation, however, would Im* made in respect of the loss of any unregistered or uninsured parcel. The Postmaster general was not legally liable to make good any claim arising out of the conveyance of a parcel sent by post, but he would pay compensation up to £4OO for the loss of or damage to a parcel posted in New Zealand for delivery within the country. Insurance fees must be paid for compensation to be secured. In addition, the s|>ecial “fragile” fee must also be paid on all inland parcels; unless this was done no claim arising out of damage to an insured parcel would be entertained.