OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13695, 11 September 1906, Page 2

OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

the piFi?rc:ur/ry- with the con. ' >- - ■ • 'TItAOTOItS.

A special meeting of'fhpi.Olago Dock I rust 'was hold at Port Cliulnmrs'.YCSter'duy afternoon, Mr A. Cable (dcputv'-clmir-mmii) pro.iiding, Thoi'o were also present*sp W..'itohiy, (J. L. Doimiston, R. l.oilfrml. If: (iom-l.'y, (i. Lawrence', -V. 0. ■('fay, Iv Knpivsltibb, I.> Slevotison. ' thh boards ■'eoimd, Mr Ho.skhiß. . and .Jhu boards 'engineer, Mi- It. Hav were in attendance. •■ ... , ,-" j ' -The "Chairman said that lie hud To accord ,a hearty welcome to Mr ■ (!. 1,. Doimiston who,now lirst tool;, his soar, at When tho'ciroulnstaiic'os-aruso that 'necessitated Mr Millar .resigning his position on *tho board—eire|imstanco»'. they all rt'greltcd -it was understood that (ho debentureholders approached the Govorninont, asking .•for some, representation: on the trust. Tim outcome of this was that they selected Mr Dunnislon to represent, theiii. He (the ;ohairmai>) bad "ho doubt that Mr Denniston's wide financial oxpprienco would always 'be at the disposal of tho board.—"Hear, .hear.") ' Mr Doimiston:. I have to thank the .board for its courtesy.' ■..■ ' . \ . • Tho Chairman said that tho-.special, business of-the clay was to consider mat--tor.v.-ha'viug. reference' to tho new • dock. : particularly having reference to the coni .fcrencc between representatives of the : trust and- the contractors, and Mr Hosk■ing's -report on tho conference. At the last -meeting of tJio trust a certain amount of correspondence was • received from the contractors, to whioh the trust's engineer sent in replies. These were considered, and it was then understood that a certain amount .of time would bo allowed the contractors to commeuco the work. .After a. week's' further delay, work had not been recommenced, other action would have been taken.)-But-on Friday Inst tho trust received intimation from its solicitor that a conference was asked for between the contractors and the,trust, the solicitor recommending that such conference bo granted. Thoy met in conference on Saturday, and again this morning, at Mr Hosking's ollico in town. The trust was represented by Messrs Hosking and .Plaits, und the deputy-chairman and secretary attended. As tho matter had a legal aspect, be thought it would be more satisfactory if the trust at once went into committee, on the matter. Mr Hosking had come down' to make explanations as to tho conference and the position. It was desirable to como to somo settlement that day, if possible': -Tho trust, went into committee. ,

After the discussion hi committee—during which Mr Liittroll, .and the .contractor's counsel.. Mr Stringer, of Christchurch, were consulted by the trust—the trust resumed, and ,it was reported- that tho following motion had been adopted:— That, as ihc contractors are not exercising duo diligence or making duo progress with the works to the.satisfaction of the engineer, notico be given under clause 17 of the General Conditions of Contract,- and that the trust seal a notico accqrdjngly, and ■ that Messrs Cable, Cray, nnd Godfrcd be appointed to affix the seal.' '■• The purport of this motion is that if tho contractors do not resume, work at tho dock within seven days the 'rust may take over the works and carry them on at tho contractors' risk. Mr Cray suggested that, a resume of the proceedings in committer should bo given to the press, but the'suggest ion met with ho apparent favour, and no motion "was made. ' , •:.