WHARF CHARGES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12062, 5 January 1907, Page 5

WHARF CHARGES.

': , - / ■ — in i a 7— — Another Imposltioh by the Railway Department.

At last night's meeting of the Harbour Board, a letter was read from Messrs C, F. Mill ward and Co, enclosing copy of a letter received by them from the Railway Department notifying the imposition of a charge of Is 6d per ton for taking stuff for railage to the country into the shed for sorting and loading. They protested strongly against this, as it practically meant consignees had to pay 4e 6d wharfage instead of 3s, and asked the Board to give the matter serious consideration. — The chairman spoke strongly against the action of the Railway Department, which seemed bent on" minimising all the Board's efforts to facilitate the trad© of the port. He thought the Board should consider tho question of terminating the agreement with the Department, and take over the working d"f the wharf itself.— Mr Morgan said it was partly the fault of the shins, and as the cargo was often .not properly sorted in the hold.— Mr Bassett said that the Department had never complained of this before, and had been able tq sort' cargo previously. It arose partly through the- shed accommodation being insufficient through the Department's' own fault. He moved that the chairman write to the Minister of Railways protesting against the imposition of" the charge, and pointing out that the trouble was due to the insufficient shed accommodation. — Other members spoke tn strong terms against th© attitude of the Department in its control of the wharf.— Mr William* seconded the motion which was carried. — It was further resolved on the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Higgie, that the Chairman and the mover wait on Mr Stringlentan, the local Traffic Manager, and ask him not to impose the charge till after a reply had been received from the Minister.

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