PORT CHALMERS GRAVING DOCK.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2611, 30 June 1871, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS GRAVING DOCK.

The trustees of the Port Chalmers Gravi g Dock met at the Secretary’s office at noou to-day. Present: —Messrs K. B. Martin (in the chair), George Maclean, Rolfe, Taylor, and Captain Thomson. .After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been convened to consider the reply received to the questions put by the deputation from the Board, who waited upon his Honor the Superintendent in reference to the leak in the Graving Dock. The reply was as follows : “ Superintendent’s Office, “ Dunedin, 27th June,' 1871. “ Sir,—Referring to' your late interview with the members of the Executive and my*

self on the subject of the leak in the Graving Dock, I have to state that on maturely considering the whole circumstances of the case, the Government is of opinion that the Dock Trust would do well to exhaust every possible means of coming to amicable terms with the contractors, rather than involve the Trustees in legal proceedings; and seeing that most of the engineers in Dunedin have already pronounced an opinion on the one side or the other, I would suggest that the contractor be solicited to concur with the Trust in obtaining an opinion as to the matter in dispute—of a neutral party, say Mr Blackett, Colonial Marine Engineer. “I have, &c., “ (Signed) J. Mac Andrew, “ Superintendent. “ Chairman, Dock Trust.” Mr Maclean proposed the following reBJlution “The Government having suggested that Mr Blackett, the Colonial Government lingineer, should be called upon to examine and raport upon the leakage m the Dock. The Board are willing to be guided by his opinion in the matter, but before incurring this expence, the Board request the contractor to say whether he will afford Mr Blackett facility, for arriving at a just conclusion, by permitting sqch examination as he may think necessary, and whether they are prepared to abide by his decision on a joint case to be submitted to him. ” He thought before Mr Blackett was consulted, that both parties, the contractor and the engineer, should have the opportunity of laying each his view of the case before him* He thought ultimately it would he seen that the leakage was not the question, and and how necessary it was that his former suggestions should have been carried out. He had never seen Mr Blackett, _who must, however, .be a man of reputation, or he would not have assumed the duties he had nidertaken. Other engineers had been 0 uaulted, who held high professional reputations, and he did not suppose Mr Blackett would give a better opinion than they, but as Colonial Engineer, he thought probably his opinion would have more weight. On these grounds he moved the resolution. Captain Thomson seconded the resolution, which was adopted item. con., and the sicretary was instructed to furnish a copy of it, and the Super ndendent’s letter to the contractors. _ The Secretary was directed to acknowledge the receipt, with thanks, of a letter from the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Sydney. Mr Taylor brought under notice that the Inspector of Works, Mr Wales, had now no duties to perform, and that bis services should be dispensed with. The Chairman said he had spoken to the Engineer on the subject, and pointed out that it was necessary he should be informed his sendees were not required further at present, and it was resolved that he should be informed to that effect. The Board adjourned sine die.