| Description | "Sir, I am directed by the Commissioners for the Harbour and Docks of Leith to request that you will have the goodness to favour me with answers to the following queries: 1. How is the bulk or weight of goods ascertained, with the view of regulating the dues? Is it simply taken from the ships' manifests and rated according to the charge for freight? Or is there a Bulker on the establishment for the purposes of measuring or weighing the goods? Or by whom is this done? 2. If there be a Bulker, what is the nature of his duties? Does he bulk or weigh the whole goods either imported or exported? Or does he confine himself to particular cargoes, for instance, where the cargo belongs to a number of different individuals? 3. How many assistants or clerks has the Bulker and are they able efficiently to discharge the whole duties, or do questions on disputes arise between the payers and the Bulker regarding the accuracy of the bulk on weight, and how are these disputes settled? 4. Are there any fees or dues payable for bulkage, and how are they and the other duties collected, that is, is the Shipowner liable, or is the collector obliged to collect from the individual owners of the goods, however numerous? I shall be much obliged by an early assurer to these questions; and if there by any further explanations which you think would be useful to the Commissioners of the Docks and Harbour of Leith in remodelling their establishment, I hope you will have the goodness to add them. I remain Sir, your most obedient servant, John Phin, Clerk to the Commissioners." |