HARBOUR MATTERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13558, 31 March 1908, Page 6

HARBOUR MATTERS.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir,—ln reference to the article in Friday's paper, re shortage of railway trucks, tho agents interested put the whole of the blame on the railway department. I baldly think this fair. The Timaru Harbour Board should share the blame for nob providing wharf sheds for the handling of diffeient cargoes, such as transhipments by the smaller boats. It would also be a great saving to the business people in lining able to get their goods from the ship's side, instead of having to. wait some days' to get delivery as at present and would slop to a great extent the old ciy of shortage of trucks. The Harbour Board have now a good reclamation and in building the new wharf should make provision for cart sheds, relieving the strain on the Railway Department. In regard to the remarks of Captain Greenstreel that the

company would place a black mark against Timaru because; his ship was delayed a few hours, does the New Zealand Shipping Company put black marks against the Ofcago <y Bluff harbours on account of weather and strong winds, which prevent their whips going down the channel sometimes for days. If so they must have a very large book to hold all the black marks. Timaru has now a good safe harbour, the risks' to shipping being almost nil. The climate is good and very few delays occur with either wet or windy weather. Yon should keep np a bold front and let the New Zealand Shipping Company compare their black marks with otber ports and I am sure the comparison would be in our favour, and we have nothing to be afraid of in the threat of raising freights. Let the merchants hold together and there are plenty of other companies that would be clad to take our trade. —I am, etc.. TIMARU.