CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5948, 4 March 1881, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

The Sub-committee appointed to consider the draft of average bonda adopted by the Christchuroh Chamber of Commerce, and that of the New Zealand and Australian Under writers' Association, London, preseuted the following report:—

We beg to report for the information of the Committee that having given due consideration to the draft of average agreement furnished by the Christchurch Chamber for the opinion of the Committee, and having compared it with that issued by the New Zealand and Australian Underwriters' Association, London, we are of opinion that the latter fully provides for the equities of both consignees and owners, ■and that any change that may be necessary to provide further security for the deposits made in general average or agreed general form, such as that adopted by the above-named Association, is preferable to one of a more local character, and that the practice and experience of Home underwriters should as much as possible be followed and adopted in these Colonies. The Sub-Committee see many objections that are likely to arise from the interposition of an irresponsible controlling power, dealing with deposits for which the owners are alone responsible. An obstinate trustee might indefinitely delay a vessel by objecting to pay the bills for sacrifices made, or for debts contracted in effecting repairs, before the adjustment could be made The rights that a ship has of levying a general average contribution on the cargo for voluntary sacrifices made for the general safety of the ship and cargo, cannot be denied, and should not be hastily dealt with. It is for these reasons that the Sub-committee strongly recommend reference to the practice and customs of Home underwriters before dealing in any way with such interests.

The discussion was postponed to the next meeting.

Mr Ge roe Bell presented to the Committee Bamples of fcugar, c.ffee, and arrowroot, the produce of Fiji, and statistics of imports apd txoorts entrusted to him by Mr F. G. Witbam, vice-president of the Lavuka Chamber of Commsrca, for presentation to the Chamber..

The Secretary was directed to convey the thanks of the Committee to Mr Witham, and the statistics were laid on the table for the informati -n of members.

Mr E. B. Oargill drew the attention of the Chairman to the absurd exaggerations of the grounding of ih.a Jasper in the discussions of the Harbour Board. He pointed uut that the accident was one of the uiost trivial" and nnimpoi tint character—a thing of everyday occurrence in the tint st. ports of Groat Britain, and hardly worthy of being mentioned, because from its very nature no damage could accrue to either vessel or cargo; but giving undue prominence to scch (rifling affairs was calculated to injure the reputation of Port Chalmers, natutally the cak-st and mist commodious port in New Zaalaod. He trusted ihe Chairman, ai a member of the Harbour Board, would use his best endeavours to prevent such idle and foolish discussions.

■ The Chairman quite concurred in Mr Cirgill's remarks, and condemned the remarks made on the matter by membera of that Board, and statements in the Press, as equally mischievous and untrue.