OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

Evening Star, Issue 10851, 8 February 1899, Page 1

OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

■ The reeular meeting of the Dock Tmst was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs H. Gotirley (in the chair), J. A. Millar, W. Swan, Q. L. Dennistoi, E. 6. Allen, J. Mill r and W, Pedlow.

1 Messrs Pedlow and Allen were nominated i for the position of chairman, and the ballnt resulted in favor of Mr Allen, who then took the chair.—The Chairman said the reason he had consented to be nominated for the position was that the Trust were entering into an extensive business quite apart : from what they were iu the habit of carrying on, and as he was an old member of the Trust he thought it his duty to accept nomination, in order to bring any experience he might possess to bear in lie interests of the Trust. It was not but that Mr Pedlow [ would make an excellent chairman, and '' during his (Mr Allen's) absence in Parliament he had no doubt Mr Pedlow would , occupy the chair. He felt the responsibility 1 of the position, and knew that the strictest attention over the affairs of the Trust would be required in order to make this new business a successful undertaking. He thanked . them for electing him.

I Mr Mill introduced a deputation consisting: of Cr Murray and Mr Leach (the captain en the Port Fire Brigade).— Mr Leach men' tioned that the object of the deputation was to obtain the consent of the Trust to connect a pipe at small cost with the donkey engine at the freezer for fire-extinguishing purposes. ■ It would be a great acquisition in case of fire within a distance of I,oooft, and would be oseful in protecting property and shipping. ! They could by this means get a pressure of : salt" water of 2001b. As regarded the ex- , penss, he believed that the Corporation were ; prepared to put in the pipes and all appli- •: ances, and it became simply a question i whether members would consent to the con- ! nection being made.—The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and Messrs Millar ' and Pedlow, with power to act. The matter of tenders for supplies for the vear was left to the chairman to manage. The Inspector of Factories forwarded forms for bringing the works under the Factories Act.—The Chairman was under the impression that the works did not come under the Act, They were simply receiving goods, and did not manufacture at all. He did not see that the Act applied.—Other members did not agree with this view, and the matter was left over for the opinion of the solicitor, the chairman to report to next meetin~. The Finance Committee recommended the payment of accounts amounting to £563 6s Bd, and reported that there were credit balances in the general account of £1,895 13s 7d and loan account £1,069 17s sd. Adopted. , . j.The Chairman mentioned that the duties of Trust officers required defining to prevent friction, a little of which had already occurred. It was desirable to define the duties, so that there would be no clashing. Conditions had been submitted which he understood were considered agreeable.—lt was resolved that the duties as read by the late chairman be agreed to, and that a copy be i sent to each officer. A resolution was passed asking that the Trust might be brought under the Public Bodies Act. The question of rebates on duty on machinery was left to the secretary. The Engineer of the freezing works recommended that when the plant was erected and fairly started a thorough overhaul be given to the Hercules, which would include the supply of a new compressor piston and rod, and also a piston-rod to steam engine. The duplex pump would also require to have its steam cylinders re-bored and new pistons fitted, and steam valves refitted. Freezing room (fish room): He advised dividing this room into two by an insulated partition fitted between the present two doors, thus providing a door off the platform to each room; also the connecting of these rooms by a small door fitted in the partition. The supply and return ammonia pipes set free from No. 2 room could be used for the new room thus provided. This recommendation was made with a view to economising freezing power. Packing room: It would be an improvement to have an asphalt floor laid on a slight incline to a drain, and thus, by thoroughly washing down, prevent smell. A water service: He advised that a water service be laid from the pump, through the boiler room, along the tram-line to the packing room, which could be used for fire prevention. Sheep rails : The contract for fitting iron rails in >*o 2 room would be finished about the end of the week. New boilers: The Engineer reported that he had seen at Messrs Gardner's works, Dunedin, one of the new boilers tested bv cold water pressure to 2401b per scuiare inch. The test was most satisfactory, and the boiler would be trucked immediately. —Referred to Works Committee for report, It was decided that the Trust meet on the first Thursday in the month in future.