DOCK TRUST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 3

DOCK TRUST.

The ordinary meeting of thf* Otago Dock Trust, was iieid yestenday u.fieriiuon; pr,--fflnt—Messrs A. Cable (in the ch:iir). \V. Barclay, U. Uodlred, H. Keowstubb, I, Stevenson, G. Lawrence, *>td the Hon. 31. Ciuuilcy. 'Kid Chairman pan) lie had to extend a welcome t,> the Mayor of Dunedin, who now for the lirst lime attended a meeting of the tnt-t. Owing to tho multifarious dutiei attached to Iho Mayor's olliee they could only hope that he would attend as frooueptiy as possible. Mr Lawrence made brief acknowledgment. lie should attend as often as his numerous other duties v.-ould permit-. CORUFSrONDKNCR. A letter was read from Messrs Briscoc and Co. intimating that the first Jiipment of cement under their contract ,was to hand and delivered—looo casks.—Received. A lei tor was read from the secretary of the Produce Export Company (L(d.) acknowledging a letter from the trust re freight contracts, which had been placed before the directors of the company. As this was the first intimation of tho existence of any current agreement between the New Zealand Shipping Company and tho trust, such as was likely to affect, the interests of the Produce Export Company, the company would lio glad if Ihe trust would have Iho acroemenfc forwarded for the directors' consideration. A later letter from the Produce fixnort Company expressed astonishment roiianlinir an agreement made between Mr Tonkin and tho trust. The directors repudiate*! nny liabilit.y under such agreement, and were F-'-ronvlv of opinion that if the" were bound in anv way by il, it should have, been embodied in Iho lease. None of the directors, with the execution of Mr Tonkin, had any knowledge, of the agreement. Tb< •so letters and others not. read in open meeting were considered in committee. The agreement referred to n fr- N ' rr '>t contract between the trust, (be New Zealand Shipping Company, and the Shaw, Savill. and Albion Companv. ' Otherwise, it wis agroed Ilirti. Lite correspondence be left on the f ible until tlm secretary reported on fhe interview arranged with Mr Giblis at. Cliristchurch on the 25th inst. The whole mailer then to lie considered.

A loiter was rood from 11m (own elerlt, Port Chalmers. with reference to the proetipo complained of of using the tire-service, pipes for boiler-filling purposes. The Water Committer reported thai it Ix-Hovrvl that on future occasions tlio officer of the Dock Trust would adhero (o correct procedure.— Lotlor received.

A letter was road from the Bluff Harbour Hoard m tn previous correspoiulenco tb charges in disnitto for doc.Hng the k-ard's dredue.—'The Secretary said tlie board liad previously jjn-ul cbarees similar to those in dispulo,—Referred lo tlio chairman and secretary, lo net.

A letter was received from Mr F. Ci. Cray expressing ]|j s objection to matter* of importance Iming taken in committee. The letter had reference to the previous special meeting of tlio board, when it was overlooked. At that meeting, however, Mr ('ray attended and exposed bis opinions.— liolier formally veceiyod. <t A letter was road from the New Z rt aland Shipping Comnnnv announcing 'hipping fixtures and soliciting freights. The company stated that; 11. was now pre]);;red to accent ennro at the following rates:— Million, 3d; lamb, 7-16 d: beef. 5-16 d: rabbitc. 30s per ton of 30 cnbie feet; boned beef, 30s |)cr ton of 30 cubic feet. A letter in similar geneml terms was read from tho Shaw. S.ivill, and Albion C'ompanv, nointing out that the company was entitled untie Ilie .nereomcnt to onehalf of the availab'n freights. Rates tn London would lie the lowest luting, and rates to West Const, ports wouh' not exceed Loudon rates.—Lollera received. A letter was road from Mr William Slowarf as to ineonvenienco be bid suffered through mistakes at the freezing works.—The secretary said that the matters were merely accidental, end bad Wu explained to slv Stewart.—Lotto.- received. A further letter from the New Zealand Shipping Company, stating that every freezing company had agreed to the contract with the Now Zealand and Sh*w. Snvill, and Albion Companies, and those companies could supply all Iho tonnage Sireded, was referred over pondim* tlio conference in Olmstchurch on June 29. FINANCE. The Finance Committee's report showed that, credit balances stood: General account £1619 14s 9d. loan account £11,4% 1?? 6(1. Accounts amounting to £4338 8s Id, including £1000 progress payment to tho contractors for the new dock, were recommended for payment. It was proposed to introduce a loeal bill to Parliament to give the trust power to acquire land on lease or purehii'o on which to erect an_ abattoir; power lo extend tlio present freezing works; power to borrow for these purposes an amount not to exceed £5000: power to carry on a slaughtering business; power to sell or let, thi) abattoir in tho sumo manner as that in which tho trust leased its endowments: provided that, in the event of the abattoir being sold, the proceeds be earmarked to pay any sums borrowed on that aeconut. As to claim for £10 10s, law costs, from the National Hank, the committee recommended that, the bank bo informed that the trust was unable to recognise any liability for any such sum incurred l>y the bank, t.lio trust having consulted its own solicitors oil all matters connected with the proposed loan. Mr llarelay, in moving the adoption of tho report, said that the question of abattoirs had been fully considered by the committee, and it was thought, in view of a communication from tho Produce Export Company, that it was desirable to take such power as was provided under the proposed bill. Ho hoped it would not be necessary to start any such works, but in case 1 of having tho freezing works thrown on their hands it would bo well to have such powers. The report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE. The. Works Committee reported that it had been decided to refer lwck to the Borough Council for reconsideration the subject of the trust's present rental, and to state that tho tru4 considered the present rental wai a fair one, and should cover the addition of a strongroom to the premises now occupied. It was decided to let the .matter of the automatic stoker Gland over in tlio meantime, ponding inspection by tho overseer. Mr Knewstnbb had been appointed chairman.—Report adopted. enoixeeiw' reports. The Chief Dock Engineer reported that the dock had not been occupied during Iho month. Advantage bad been taken of the fact to have the boilera cleaned and neccsary repairs effected, in addition to tho nnnual inspection by tho Government Surveyor. At the freezing worku a fair Quantity of rabbits had licen received, and the works had been running full time. Shipments outwards wore slack: but regular shipments next month should relieve the chambers.—Report received. Mr Robert Hay, M. Inst. C.E., engineer for Ihe trust, reported that the work of excavation bad been commenced at the now dock. The contractor wa.* still employed strengthening tho cotfer dam. The plant hud liow increased by a orano. dynamo, trucks, etc., and a shed built.—Report received. THE COFFER DAM. Tlio Chairman ask«l tho secretary if tho engineer had approved of tho coffer dam. The secretary consulted papers. Harclav: The engineer has not. objecleil in ally way to the construction of tlie coffer dam? T'ie Chairman: Ho lias not mentioned it to mo. Mr Lawrence: Has there been any aiiv:i:ieo payments on tlio cotfer dam? Tiie Chairman said thai payments were about £5000 altogetliei, with the £1000 now certificated. Mr Hay Kiid tho other day that the trust was perfectly tafe, and bad a- splendid margin. Tho contractor only got 50 per cent, progress payment on cut stone and cement work, and so forih. This £1000 now certificated was the first payment on account, ot the cotTer dam. Mr Knewstnbb said that with ibis £1000 he thought the coffer daui would be paid for in full. The Chairman said that was not so. Ho had the engineer's assuranco that no more payments would b» made on the coffer dam until it was completed according to specification. _ After some delay, the Secretary said that tile £1000 now certificated was t.he first payment on tho coffer dam. Previous payments.oil the works, on tho engineer's certificate, were £1693 in .January and £1082 in March. The total cost of tho coffer dam was £2600. Mr Lawrence said that, in that care, the trust was plainly on the right side. It was agreed that the engineer be asked .0 supply tho trust- with n copy of the plans and specifications, and a schedule of the rates for the different works at the dock. The secretary was instructed to get re- i cfipta from the contractor for cement delivered. It was explained that the cement I was handed over with a double tullv. w' that the contractor had really certified to receipt of the quantity n; so far stated at the ship's slings. WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS kelpi tit uruuu7 ergua tni stoiuach.