OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2303, 21 April 1898, Page 30

OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

The statutory meeting of the O&ago Dock Trust for the election of chairman was held on the 19bh; present — Messrs A, Thomson (chairman), H. Gouriey, J. Mill, E. Q. Allen, M.H.R., and W. Pedlow. i The Secretary reported that during the year ended December 31 last, 68 vessels had been docked, comprising 53 steamships, 5 sailing vessels, 3 tugs, 4- hulks, and 3 dredges, oi a total tonnage of 59,501, as against 59 vessels of 43,451 tons during the preceding year. The dock had been in use for 266 days. The dock forge was in use 11 days during lasb year. Extensive repairs were made to the steam hammer and furnace. The forge was now in good order, better than it had been for many years past. Thesheerlegs had been fairly well employed lifting boilers, funnels, and machinery. During the butter seaßon the cool stores had put; through and shipped about 250 tons of butter and 90 tons of cheese. The Chairman stated that before vacating the chair he would refer to the events of the year as set forth in the secretary's report. The wisdom of the concessions made in the Uuiou Company in the matter of docking charges had been made manifest by the fact that the company was docking more vessels than during the previous year. The revenue, in consequence, was larger this year than it was during last. With regard to the sheerlegs, it would be fresh in the minds of members of the trust that they had embarked upon this work after a good deal of thought. It originally cost about £5000, and now it was found that they were in continued use — very much more greatly in use this year than last year. Although the actual revenue derived from the pheerlsgs might not be as great as could be desired, still the advantages accruing from them as being a part of the whole dock system more than compensated for the deficiency. Heavy lifts, boilers, and machinery had been^. handled in a fashion tbat proved of the u f most service to the companies effecting repairs at the Port. He could -not speak so favourably of the forge. The erection of the forge entailed a good deal of expenditure, but it was of immense advautage to the shipping, inasmuch as work could be done with it that could not be done in any obher port of the colony. The forge stood in the same position as the sheerlegs, and formed an important part in the facilities offered by the Dock Trust. ■ The rates in connection with the forge had been reduced some time back, and it would be a matter for the' consideration of the trust whether they should not revise the scale cf charges and revert to the old rates. Ib was gratifying to note that the Union Company , were erecting large offices and workshops on the reclaimed ground, and it was a guarantee that they would continue to use the dock as they had done in the past. The reclamation works represented one of the mesi; valuable uudertakings ever entered upon by the trust. It was set afoot during Mr Allen's term of office, and experience fully justified the outlay. Regarding the freezing works, the speaker stated that the inauguration of this branch of the dock's work was a very serious que&tion, and the point was let.tgl.bily dircussed as to whether they should cuter upon an enterprise of that description at all. It was originally designed for the reception of cheese and butter, and these products had been handled in a very satisfactory manner. Since then, however, the freezing industry had advanced with such rapid strides that the trust had been guided into another sphere of activity — namely, the work of freezing rabbits. The works had previously really been chilling work*, but with some alterations they had effected they had been transformed into freezing wprks, and an exceedingly large quantity of rabbits h&d been handled. They had now, however, found themselves in the position that they were unable to meet the extensive demands for space i made upon them, and he thought ib was a I matter for the trust to seriously consider whether they should not take steps to extend the works. They possessed the site, the facilities, and the business, so that, all ! things considered, he thought they would ba quite justified in entertaining a proposal to extend the works. In conclusion, the chairman said that, thanks to the care and vigilance of the deckmaster and the employees, no accidents had happened during the year. Mr Thomson then vacated the chair. ' Mr Pedlow thought that the trust could do nothing better than re-elect Mr Thomson. He bad filled the position in the past in a very able manner, and devoted a lot of time and abtenI'tion to the work of the trust. He moved that Mr Thomson be re-elected. I The motion was seconded by Mr Gotjrley, ; aud carried unanimously. j Mr Thomson resumed the chair, and briefly ! thanked the members for the honour conferred | on him. I Mr Allen thought that the proposition of the chairman regarding the extension of the j freezing works was worthy of consideration, I and he moved that it be referred to the following committee for a report : — Messrs Gourlsy, Millar, Denniston, Pedlow, the chairman, and the mover. The motion was seconded and carried. Mr Mill, who had declined nomination, said he was sorry to have to rise and warn the trust ' against losing the little capital it had in launching out into a large business, as had been sugj gested. As they were aware, there were freezing I companies from Auckland to the Bluff, but there was not another dock trust that possessed such works. The trust had got certain concessions from the Government for a specific purpose, and if they went outside that purpose the Government would be justified in taking away those concessions. The trust, as a public body, was not justified in goiDg into competition with other people. Private persons had put their money into these concerns, and these would have to face competition subsidised by the Government. He thought it was a business the trust should have nothing to do with. He hoped it would be seriously considered by the committee which had been set up. The Chairman said ib was not proposed to go a single inch beyond the powers conferred upon them by the Legislature. They did not intend to do anything involving the censure or the disapproval of the Government. It was not intended to esfcabish new freezing works, These already existed, and the intention was simply to enter into the business more vigorously, and extend the works. Mr Goueley : The report of the committee does not bind the trust. i The Chaihman : No. $hQ meeting; faen went into flommittafl.