THE WHARF CRANE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4239, 21 October 1874, Page 3

THE WHARF CRANE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —in your account of the City Council’s meeting yesterday as published in this morning’s paper, we notice a paragraph containing a resolution of the Council relative to a correspondence as to payment of interest on a sooond-haijd crane, imported by Mr. Dransfield for the use of tho wharf, nearly a year ago. In order that the public may not be misled in tho matter, and as we certainly think we are justified in refusing to pay 10 per cent, interest on an article which, in its present state, is next to useless, we should feel obliged if you would insert the following copy of correspondence between the Council and ourselves. The resolution to take the engine and trolly from the wharf seems rather one-sided justice, as we have never demurred to paying the interest on those articles. Why not take the crane off the wharf ?—it is not safe to lift more than half a ton weight, and takes up considerable room. We leave tho matter to the impartial judgment of the public. We are, &c., Jackson and Graham. Queen’s Wharf, Oct. 20. (Copy.) Queen’s “Wharf, April 15, 1874. Sir, —In reply to your communication of the 7th lust., transmitting to ns a resolution of tho Council at a meeting held on the 2nd April, we bog to say that wo decline to pay 10 per cent, on the outlay for the crane imported for the use of the wharf. Our reason for doing so is simply from the fact that wo have practically had no use of the crane since its importation ; that when it was landed a considerable time elapsed before it was put together, and that when that was done, and it was tested by the City Surveyor, it broke down at a strain of a little over two tons. It was then taken to pieces, and remained for some months before it was repaired ; and it again broke down in trying to lift a tank weighing 25 cut., and that noio it is not safe to lift halt a ton weight. In this state it has been for the last two mouths, although we notice by your letter that the City Surveyor has been instructed to strengthen the crane. With reference to the remark that_“ no guarantee was given by the Council as to the weight the crane should lift," we would beg to refer the Council to our letter of 2Gth March, 1573, in which we asked for one moveable crane, latest improvements, to lift, say three tons ; also to the minutes of tho proceedings of a meeting of the Council (which our Mr. Jackson attended) some months back, when it was agreed upon that, in consideration of our paying 10 per cent, on the outlay, the Corporation would supply the articles asked for in our letter ; and we submit that this arrangement inferred the supplying a crane to lift not less than three tons. Under the circumstances, we do not see how the Council can fairly ask us to pay 10 per cent, on the cost of an article which we have not been able to use for the purpose for which it was intended, and which at the present moment is next to useless. If yon will lot us know tire amount of tho one quarter's percentage on the steam hoist and trolly, wo will send you a cheque for the same. Wo should he glad if you will lay this communication before the Council at its next meeting.—Wo have, &c., Jackson and Graham, Lessees. Wm. Hester, Esq., Town Clerk. (Copy.) Town Clerk’s Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1874. Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 15th inst. re imported crane, and in reply I have to inform you that the City Council have decided to accept the per centago on the steam-hoist and trolly, viz., 10 per cent on original cost—£227 Bs. : one quarter of a year at which rate will be, I believe, £7 13”. I have further to inform you that tho City Surveyor has been instructed to put the crane in thorough working order. —I have, Ac., (Signed) William Hester, Town Clerk. Messrs. Jackson and. Graham, Lessees Queen’s Wharf, Ac. (Copy of Memo.) October Sth, 1874. The account you have sent us for the one-quarter year's interest on steam-hoist, Ac., is incorrect, as it should be £5 13s. Bd. instead of £7 15s. Perhaps you have included the crane, but as tho crane remains in precisely the same state as pointed out in our letter of the 15th April last, the interest on that article will have to be deducted. If you will send us a receipt for £sl3s. Bd., we will give a cheque for that amount.— Yours, Ac,, Jackson and Graham. To William Hester, Esq., Town Clerk.