WAITARA HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143767, 16 April 1912, Page 4

WAITARA HARBOUR BOARD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The usual monthly meeting of the AVaitara Harbour Board was held on Friday evening. Present; Messrs. IV. F. Jenkins (chairman), TV. Birdling, Jas. Hine, jun., R. T. Hicks, TV. T. Jennings, Jas. Rattenbury, and J. Smith. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. C. V. Houghton, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, wrote asking that a renewal of the lease of the wool store be granted tor a further term of three or five years, and asking what the additional rent was likely to bo required for the extra space. As the company were installing an up-to-date rvool-press, he would like an early reply. —The Chairman said the matter required consideration, and it was not necessary to deal with it that evening, as the lease had eighteen months yet to run. Ho would suggest that a subcommittee be set up, which would report at the next meeting of the board. Mr. Jennings concurred, mentioning, in view of the progress of the district, that extra accommodation in wool-shed would be required. It was resolved that Mr. Houghton be invited to meet tho chairman and Messrs. Birdling and Rattenbury, a* a committee, to discuss the matters referred to. Messrs. A. Hatriek and Co. wrote enclosing a debit, note for £7 14s 6d, which represented the amount of cartage paid by the firm on 206 loads of merchandise at 9d per load. In explmafion, the firm mentioned that owing to a block at their railway siding | at tho wharf, due to wharf repairs, these goods had to bo carted to the railway station, hence their, claim on tho board. The firm did not agree that tho matter should be paid by the railway, as suggested by the board’s solicitors, and they asked tho board to look at the matter in a fair and reasonable, light.— The Chairman said that there was no legal responsibility resting on the board. No rent was charged for the siding, belonging as't did to tho Railway Department. The block had occurred owing to a subsidence at the wharf, and was not due to any error or omission of the board.—Air. Jennings’ opinion was that the present was one of those cases in which the board might exercise a little consideration. Messrs. Hatriek and Co. had evidently suffered a good deal of inconvenience, although through no fault of. the board. He would move that Messrs. Hatriek and Co. be paid tho claim without prejudice.—Seconded by Air. Hine, who remarked that the claim was a strong moral one, if illegal.— Carried unanimously Tho secretary of the Patea Harbour Board wrote requesting information as to the rate of wages paid by tho TVaitara Board. Owing to a further.demand being made by the waterside workers for an increase of wages in Patea, their board did not wish to conflict with any of the other ports, hence their desire for information on this matter.—lnformation supplied. Alcssrs. Birdling, Hine, and Rattenbury were appointed a sub-committee to deal with tho rent arrears due to tho board. Air. G. H. Alcllar was appointed permanent shed foreman.

REPORT ON WAITARA WOOL TRADE.

The following interesting report, was read by Captain Thompson, harbourmaster and secretary, showing the largo increase of wool put through this season as compared with tho previous one; “Owing to the season being a very short one, wool came to band very late, and, incidentally, with a big rush, with the result that it was absolutely impossible to deal with it as expeditiously ns could bo wished. For instance, last season the wool began to come in in October, while this season it was not until oarly in January that it came in in any quantity. Th® undermentioned figures will show at a glance tho big increase on former year, and will also cause wonder that the board’s operations in dispatching same were not more seriously hampered. The figure® in parentheses denote last year’s figures:—Up to December 21, 727, bales (13341; from December 21 to January 15, 2304 bales (1786); from January 15 to February 7. 2347 bales (1306); from February 7 to March 1. 1708 bales (1246). The total number of bales shipped for the season so far up to March 1 was 6818 hales, as against 6360 last season up to June 14. In any month the greatest quantity received was 3752 bales (2496), and in any week 1145 bales (722). During the busiest six weeks 4500 hales were received, as against 3000 hales the previous season.”

MISSING CARGO AT WAITARA AND A DEPUTATION.

Mr, A. Kelly, of Mokau, in a letter dated April 10, stated that on November 8 last ho had shipped per the sis. Manakau, from Waitara to Mokau, six bags of potatoes, and since that time he had hoard nothing further of same. He would like to know from the board what had become of them, and, further, who was going to pay him the value of the potatoes ? Tho Harbourmaster stated that he kept a list of all goods received from tho railway, but he was unable to find any trace of the potatoes claimed for by Mr. Kelly, although some fifty bags had arrived about the same time for other consignees. In reply to a question by Mr. Jennings, the Harbourmaster said that Sir. Ogle had asked him about the missing potatoes some months ago, and he could throw' no further light on tho matter. He (Captain Thompson) was confident that the potatoes never came through the Harbour Board shed. In answer to a further question, Captain Thompson said that Mr. Kelly had made no previous inquiry for his missing potatoes, until his present letter of April 10, 1912 (a period of five months later). Later Mr. Ogle admitted signing for the potatoes, which did not come through the shed. A letter was read by the secretary (Captain Thompson) from Mr. C. V. Houghton, local manager of tho New Zealand Shipping Company, which stated that beyond the fact that considerable inconvenience had been suffered through wool not being promptly handled (this was due to the big rush as mentioned elsewhere in the report of this meeting), they had made no complaints from that office. Mr. Houghton referred the chairman to their Waitara representative (Mr. H. E. Vaughan), who might knew of something that had not been communicated to the head office. Mr. Hine wished to knew whether ritec letter just -read was in reply-to-the

one sent by the secretary after the last meeting. The chairman mentioned that the letter was sent by him, as Captain Thompson was then absent on holiday leave. At Air. Hine’s request, the chairman read the letter. The Alanagcr, Northern S.S. Co., Auckland. Dear Sir, Tho Board are in receipt of a letter signed by your local agent (amongst others), a copy of which is enclosed herewith. As you will I think admit in fairness to'the Board’s staff, the statements made are rather of a ague nature. I would ho pleased if you would at your earliest convenience, furnish me with specific cases of goods going astray. So far as the Board is concerned, no report has been made to that fC cct., except tho letter now referred to. If yoit know of any case that has occurred during, ' say tho past two months, I would be glad to know the particulars, so that full enquiries may be made. Tho Board desire to use every care in the receipt and despatch of goods on behalf of ships and shippers, so that the port will not suffer. I should he glad if you will also advise me as to whether any goods went astray prior to tho appointment of Captain Thompson as Harbour Alaster. Trusting you will give the matter your early attention, and favour me with a prompt reply so that enquiries may be made into any specific case reported prior to the Board’s next meeting (April 12th) so that the matter may be s gone into thoroughly.—Yours faithfullv, TV. F. JENKINS, Chairman. Air. Tline then wished to know why the signatories were not written to. Mr. Jenkins said ho wrote direct to the head office. He always believed in going direct to the “boss.” In answer to an enquiry from Mr. Hine as to whose authority limited tho scope to two months, tho chairman said he had. Mr. Hine stated with some warmth that the board resolution intended that the letter be sent to the signatories of the application to the hoard, and the period to be included was during Capt. ThompsonEs jurisdiction. Tho period had been confined to two months, and then a period was jumped over, and reference made to a time before Capt. Thompson’s appointment. This reference was beyond instructions, as an innuendo was cast on the old staff. The chairman was about to make an

explanation, when Mr. Hine said with much warmth, “You had your say at the last meeting, and I’m going to have mine now.” Air. Jennings said the attitude of Mr. Hine was most unbecoming. The discussion was useless, and if it continued in this vein he would leave the room.

Mr. Hine said he didn’t care if Afr. Jennings left. He had a right to express his opinion. . At this juncture, the chairman said the discussion was out of order. There was no motion before the board. Air. Hine said he wanted to know why the board’s instructions were not carried out. He was not going to submit if other members were.

The chairman said that he wanted something definite to work on. Ho would have been quite within his rights if he had not allowed the letter to come before' the board at last meeting. He had written to all the shipping companies, and he would point out that no specific complaint had been made. Mr. Hine said the signatories to tho loiter should have been written to, if only from tho point of courtesy, and without making a time limit.

Mr. Jennings said that the matter should bo adjusted without any display of feeling. If they wanted to do the best for the port, lot them go into the question as reasonable men. Mr. Hine said he had been interrupted. Ho had bis own opinions. Letters were then read from the firms of Thos. Borthwick and Sons and A. Hetrick and Co. (head office) both of which referred the chairman to their local managers. Hatrick and Co. thought that the complaints were well founded and should bo remedied.

Messrs. Burgess, Fraser and Co. wrote in reference to a case consigned to Marakopa which had not yet reached its destination.

The secretary explained that he had referred to tho manifests, and found a case which tallied with tho description, which appeared to have been correctly shipped. His explanation was that the case must have been left at Molc.au if it did not reach Marakopa, as tho sole mark G.C. over M. would also apply to a Mokau consignee. Great difficulties were created at times owing to the similarity of markings. A deputation comprising Messrs. H. Brookman (Waitara manager for Hatrick and Co.), A. W. Ogle, and H. E. Vaughan, then stepped forward, and through Mr. Brookman asked to ho received.

The chairman said he considered it was most unseemly of the deputation to come in such a manner, and try to spring a surprise on the board. It was not fair for them to come and make charges against tho staff which could not possibly bo refuted at so short a notice. He would decline to receive the deputation. Mr. Hine moved that the deputation be received. He protested strongly against what he termed “the usurpation of the powers of tho board” by, the chairman. The deputation came to the board, not to the chairman. Were they to be ignored ? Ho did not think the board would refuse. Messrs. Jennings and Hicks expressed a wish to get on with the business, when Mr. Hine addressing Mr. Hicks, said in molo-dramatic fashion, “I’m glad to see you have recovered the use of your brains and tongue. You had nothing to say at the last meeting.” Mr. Ogle said that they did not come in any hostile spirit to tho board, on the contrary, their mission was a conciliatory one. Mr. Jennings said he would move that the deputation be received, provided that no matters other than those now before the board bo brought forward. Mr. Hine objected, he moved that the deputation be received. There was no seconder to Mr. Hine’s motion, and Mr. Jennings’ motion was put and carried. Mr. Jennings then moved that the board go into committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rattenbury and carried. The hoard then went into committee 1 , and after resuming, Mr. Jennings said that a suggestion of Mr. Gale’s might he adopted by the board. This was to have a triplicate consignment note forwarded, and after checking contents the note ceuld be forwarded to the shipping agent aftor being initialed. The secretary mentioned .that if he

forwarded such note to the shipping companies, he would possess no record at all. At present notification was coming from the Railway Department. Receipts were the only way, hut as they did not receive any they would be no bettor off.

Mr. Jennings said that at last meeting when the letter was received, be thought there was some misunderstanding in the matter, but after leaving the deputation ho thought there might be some cause. He would therefore move that a committee be set up, consisting of Messrs. Birdling, Hinc, and Rnttcnbury, to confer with the shippers. This motion was carried. , Captain Thompson mentioned incidentally during the course of the meeting, that ho was quite willing to answer any questions from the 1 deputation feeling sure that ho had a satisfactory reply in every instance. The proceedings were heard by an audience of eight members of the general public.