THE DOCK TRUST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1585, 8 April 1882, Page 14

THE DOCK TRUST.

His Worship the Mayor, as chairman of the Port Chalmers Dock Trust, has received the following letter from the Public Works Departmen "~ Public Works Oftice, Wellington. 28th March, 1882. Sir,— l am directed by the Acting Minister for Public Works to reply to your letter of 15th February, forwarding a resolution of the PortChalme'S Dock Truafc on the subject of the conveyance to the Trust of the lands doscribed in the schedule to " The Port Chalmers Dock Trust Act, 1881." The Minister directs me to draw your attention to the provisions of the Act, according to which tbe Government must be satisfied before they can recommend the conveyance of tbe land in question that the Trust is able to raise sufficient funds for the construction of the proposed new dock, and also that the bar at the entrance to Otago harbour «nd the navigation of the harbour will be so improved as to permit Hie uH use of the new dock ; in other words, that vessels of the draught of water for which the dock is to be constructed can safely cross the bar. With respect to the first requirement it is necessary that the Trust should produce satisfactory evidence of the probable cost of the dock,

and also, as suggested In your letter, evidence that that the necessary funds will be forthcoming. With respect to the bar, the Minister is unable to consider the arrival of the dredge as satisfactory proof that the necessary improvement will actually be secured. He considers this will only be established by actual experienco after the dredge has been in operation, when he will be glad to hear further from you en the subject.— l have, &c, Charles F. Bbnzoni, Assistant Under-secretary for Public Works. James Gore, Esq., Chairman Port Chalmers Dock Tru9t, Dunedin.