The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 21, 1902. THE NEW DREDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 371, 21 March 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 21, 1902. THE NEW DREDGE.

The result of the special meeting of the Harbor Board held on Tuesday last was very satisfactory. People were beginning' to fear that the expensive dredge was likely to become a “ white elephant.” Alarming reports had got abroad, but the truth was bad enough to contemplate. However the report of Captain Benny, whose opinion is accepted with great confidence, emphatically declared that with the alteration of the rudder and a few minor alterations the vessel would steer in a most satisfactory wa3 f . So far the proceedings of the Board wore satisfactory, Air Anderson undertaking on behalf of his firm to have the permanent fixtures made —he would not, lie 3aid, be a party to any job that was not a first-class one. But when the question of passing the final payment was raised by Mr Anderson, things took rather a different turn, and the wonder is that the Board as a whole so patiently submitted to that gentleman’s dictatorial tone. He told the members plainly that he wanted the dual payment at once, and that - any attempt to impose penalties would be resisted. Ho might as well, he said, speak straight, and tell the Board that they had not a chance of recovering a penalty,-and, on being asked by Captain Tucker the reason why he made such a statement, he calmly stated that the variation of the original contract waived any right the Board had in that respect, thus implying that by an alteration mu--1 tually agreed upon the firm could have kept the Board in suspense for years longer. When Captain Tucker used the expression that the Board would be more “ fly ” next time, Mr Anderson became k&only sensitive, and resented the use of such a term, though apparently the Board were expected to take in good part the declaration that because of a legal catch the Board would have to forego the rights given under the specifications. Somehow, it seems to us that . the sensitiveness should have been on • the Board’s side. And while the i Board were coolly told that they had no remedy for over a year’s delay, Mr Anderson made the admission that, being rushed at the finish, proper attention had not been given to the steering gear.- Thus, it would appear that, while the contractors could keep the vessel on hand as long as they liked, though they had been drawing progress payments, the Board must accept the boat just as it was sent to them; they had not only to bear the expense entailed by so much delay, but had the additional * anxiety and expense caused by the condition of the boat pn its arrival at Gisborne. It is probable that Mr Anderson was correct when he told the Board that they had no legal remedy in the way of imposing penalties, and on this point Mr .vlathewson’s advice may well be heeded, to avoid litigation. But the members might at least have taken tho opportunity of joining with Captain Tucker in "expressing indignation at the way they had been treated. Mr Anderson seemed to think that his firm was entitled to sympathy and consideration from tho fact that they had not made anything out of the contract. Suppose a man were to undertake the building of a house, and the material rising in price, allowed the work to remain unfinished for two years, would he expect to make a big profit out of work dono under such conditions? The Board might well have bitterly complained aOout tho delay, not merely at Christchuicb, but since the dredgo reached Gisborne. Whatever the apologists for Messrs Anderson may think, the unfortunate ratepayers of this district are likely to have the dredge in mind for a long time to come. DAIRY. INDUSTRY. The adjourned meeting of dairy farmers takes place this evening at the Kia Ora Factory. It is hoped there will be a large attendance to settle the important question. Mr McGregor lias made the suppliers a capital offer, but the indications are that the suppliers are not sufficiently organised to ensure the success of a co-operative organisation. In any case it is only 1 fair tnat they should in large numbers attend the meeting to-night, and give 1 the progressive Air McGregor a definite ’ answer as to whether or not it is adyisable for him to go on with the improvements lie contemplates. n