GOODS CARRIAGE TO QUEENSTOWN

Southland Times, Issue 23181, 23 April 1937, Page 4

GOODS CARRIAGE TO QUEENSTOWN

RATES FOR FREIGHT CHARGES FROM DUNEDIN For some time past the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce has been making inquiries into the difference in the rates of freight between Dunedin and Queenstown and Invercargill and Queenstown. It was found that certain classes of goods could be carried more cheaply between Dunedin and Queenstown than Invercargill and Queenstown, despite the fact that Queenstown was nearer by 70 miles to Invercargill than Dunedin. Reporting to the chamber at yesterday’s meeting Mr A. H. McLean, acting district traffic manager of railways, said that he had not obtained the present rate charges from Dunedin to. Queenstown, but he could say that in 1935 the road service rate was 85/- a ton. The railway charges over the same route for goods was as follows:—A class, 70/-; B, 70/-; C, 56/3; D, 46/-, ah plus a cartage charge of 30/- a ton, which brought the rates up to 100/-, 100/-, 86/3 and 76/- respectively The rates from Invercargill, by rail and steamer, were: A, 76/8; B, 65/10;. C, 56/10; D, 47/3. It would thus be seen, he said, that Invercargill could serve Queenstown cheaper than Dunedin—even cheaper than the lorry rate (road service) which existed in 1935. Commenting on the situation, Mr J. L. Mai • said that the position was still the same, and the greater part of the trade with Queenstown was going to Dunedin for the simple reason that the tradespeople could get their goods more cheaply through Dunedin. He mentioned one Invercargill firm’s traveller who had received instructions to send the orders through the Dunedin house. Mr A. le H. Hoyles said he considered that the apparent cutting of the rates was a matter for the Transport Board. It was decidea to refer the question back to the committee set up to investigate the position for a further report. There were present at the meeting:— Messrs J. H. Reed (president), A. le H. Hoyles, F. A. Robins, A. H. McLean, J. S. Brass, J. L. Mair, H. Aitken, R. A. Douglas, C. B. Tapley and D. J.

Wesney; Shipping From London i On •'ehalf of the shipping committee the secretary (Mr A. L Adamson) reported that it had been decided to send a letter to the Overseas Shipping Committee about the 1938 sailings to Bluff from London and from the United Kingdom west coast ports, and suggest that the 1937 London time-table appeared to provide a sufficient service. The figures of the cargo loaded in 1936 would be included, and any figures of the 1937 shipments which had come to hand. It was also decided to ask the committee that six steamers,, instead of four, be placed on the 1938 west coast time-table. The assistance given by the controlling authorities to'" the clearing of the Marama on her arrival at Bluff during the recent Bluff-Melbourne season was referred to, and it was decided to acknowledge the assistance given by the harbour master, the collector of customs and staff, the postmaster and his officers, and the port medical officer, all of whom had combined to assist in the expeditious clearing of the ship and passengers, it was stated. Appreciation of the work of the shipping committee was expressed in a letter from H. and J. Smith, Ltd. The letter stated: “We would like to express our appreciation of the efforts of the shipping committee in the schedule it has arranged for this season’s direct shipping connections to Bluff. To know well in advance the connections with Bluff direct from London is not only very necessary, but makes it possible to arrange shipments in London that will suit our seasonal requirements here.” -

The shipping committee’s report was adopted. Pacific Coast Shipping The attention of the chamber was drawn to the position of the Pacific coast service following the withdrawal of several freight steamers from the run. The following letter from William Smith and Co., Ltd., was read: “The following extracts are from a letter received from one of our principals: As a result of the Matson Company withdrawing its freight service (conducted by the Golden boats), the freight position from Vancouver and San Francisco is almost impossible. Also, it must be borne in mind that the withdrawal of the San FranciscoWellington mail steamers accentuates the position. The Maison Company had four freighters serving Wellington and Auckland, and thus with the Makura and Maunganui now withdrawn there are six steamers less to carry the freight offering. Added to this is the congestion brought about by the recent strike, and the accumulation of heavy cargo still to be lifted. The idea behind our information to you is that all buyers of North American goods must look into their requirements and take immediate action. We are now at that stage where we cannot get space for immediate shipments, but only for forward shipments. The April mail steamer from Vancouver is already full, and the Union Company’s freighter is also rejecting San Francisco cargo.” It was decided to hand the letter to the Shipping Committee for consideration. Rail-Car Services Mr W. M. C. Denham wrote enclosing a reply from the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) about the representation made by the chamber urging the provision of a rail-car service on the Invercargill section. The Minister replied that as more of these units became available the allocation of them ..ould be considered on the merits of each district or area concerned. The representations of the Invercargill Chamber would not be overlooked, he added. Mr Hoyles said that when the new service was mooted a definite promise was given that in order to speed up the service it would be carried out by rail-car. Mr McLean said that the department would use rail-cars when they became available. Mr Hoyles replied that there appeared to be plenty of rail-cars available in the North Island, but in the South Island they were conspicuous by their absence. It was resolved to send a letter to the Minister reminding him of the promise. Miss Gladys Petrie, Invercargill, wrote asking for the support of the chamber for a grand Coronation concert to be held during Coronation week. A donation of half the proceeds was to be given to the Mayor’s Fund for the Dominion memorial to King George V, added Miss Petrie. It was decided to refer the request to individual members.