Wharfingers responsibilites

 Can anyone clarify what a Wharfingers tasks/responsibilities were?

All the public sidings on the Wadebridge to Wenfordbridge line were called Wharfs. It would seem that each Wharf was looked after by a person called a Wharfinger who either lived in a cottage next to the siding or very local to it.

My interpretation is they would have been responsible for taking delivery/booking in of wagons and making sure they were unloaded in a specified time by the person or company that the load was for. I am doubting that they were physically responsible for loading and unloading as there were women Wharfingers at some sidings.

Any information would be gratefully received.