A PATENT SLIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 239, 25 September 1862, Page 5

A PATENT SLIP.

Mr. Martin said that there was another matter, pcrliapa almost as important as the one just disrussed, lie .meant'the provision of a patent slip. Such a slip, able to accommodate large vessels would be one cf the greatest possible .attractions! and would tend to give this port the preference overall in the. colony. He had understood that Messrs, Curgil! were erecting a slip, and it might be a question whether it could bo so carried out, a; !o meet general requirements.- He believed that "a good slip wonhl be a paying undertaking, whether iv the hands of the Government, or of °a private company; but he thought, that in the present state of matters, they ought to look to the Government for doing ths work. The Chairman thought it would be impolitic I for the Government to take such a thing into their hands They should offer a guarantee;' and if in a position to do so, he would not hesitate to recommend the Provincial Council to give a guarantee to anybody who would undertake- to put up and maintain a thoroughly good slip. There was an understanding between the Governmeiit and Meffrs. Curgiil. 4 Mr. E. B. Curgill said that their slip was int;n<icd to acM>moilate vessels of the Geelons or Guiding Star class. It was not to bewhniiwaigenerally caPed a " patent" slip, but it was simple and they believed would be effective. He was told that the Weliington Government contemplated the immediate erection of a patent slip. Mr. Martin said that Wellington would be the.

rival port ere long. It would not do for people here to bo asleep. The emergencies of the time must bo met. lie thought the Government oxight to take immediate steps by the erection of a patent slip.

Mr. J. Ourgill said that a question of supremacy was involved in this matter. Some years ago it was a question with the P. and () Company, whether Melbourne or Sydney should be their' terminus. The possession of a" patent slip and other appliances not then existing at Melbourne, decided the question in favor of Sydney lie doubted ■whether a slip would be a paying speculation, or whether any com; any would take it up. Ti • Government must do it, and then there would be r.o difliculty about laud such as had been found in connection with the small slip now bein"erected at. Port Chalmers. The Government would only give the shortest possible title to land —too short, ar lie bdieved, to induce am- company to come forward. *

Mr. E. 1). Cargill did not believe that a Government guarantee for the mere interest on capital would be sufficient to raise the money here. It was not like the case of an old country, where there was plenty of capital seeking investment.

Mr. Moss thought there would be no difficulty if the Government would guarantee eight per c.nt.

The Chairman was satisfied that with a guarantee of revtn per cent, the £15,000 or £20,000 needed, could bo-raised at once, at home. Three years ago. he had an offer of £150,000 tor public under takings in Otago, provided Use Government would guarantee 6h per cent. It wns proposed to form a company at home to raise the funds, and he believed that there would not be the slightest difficulty in the matter.

Tvlr. Martin thought that the wi*doin of the Provincial Council would convince them that the time, had now come when things of this kind must be attended to, At one time, it was common to say that all the public undertakings proposed or carried out were for the benefit of the merchants of Ihinedin. There could be no charge of selfishness against the Chamber in this matter. What was proposed was for the general benefit of the Province—iv fact, for the good of all the Provinces.

Mr Moss said he believed that the Southland Government would spare no pains or cost to make the Bluff harbor attractive. That fact ought to be an incentive to the Government of Otago.

The deputation before appointed was requested to wait upon the Superintendent, to urge the necessity for the construction of a patent slip, ai.d ot immediate steps being taken to procure a piece of land for that purpose.

OUR GOLD EXPORTS.

Mr Martin suggested that it would be "well if something could be done to secure the official publication at home of tlie amount of gold exported from' Otago. At present, being sent through Melbourne, the produce of Otago was tr« atctl as part of that of Victoria. Mr. E. B. Cargill thought the banks here were to blame for not shipping the gold direct. Mr. Martin said that the non-publication of the amounts affected the credit of Otago very niatoriaily. After some conversation, the matter was left for inquiry and future discussion. PEOI'CSEI> MAIL, SEKVJCB FROM PANAMA TO

OTAGO

T'nc next business was— " To (iiricuss the subject of the offer referred to in the Daily Times of tlie 22nd inst. as having beau made to run inorthly steamers from Panama ; to Otago for £50,GC0 a-ycar." The Cisairman s:»id he did not_ know that he had any furtl er information to pivel He handed the letter to the Editor of the Daily Times, who hadcxiracted-nnd published everything relating j to the proposed service. Mr. Mo-,s : la the house referred to one that would be likely to carry out the scheme ? The Chairman could guarantee it. He had no autlwity to publish names ; but the editor of the Time* had made euqumc-s, and was perfectly satisfied of the responsibilities ot ti.e house. Mr. Morris: Has the offer been submitted to the Government in any way ? The Chairman said it bad not. He was ia correspondence on the subject four years ago ■when ir. England, and he had continued to do so up to the present tithe. ' , Mr. Moss knew that when Mr. Crosbie Ward ■was in Melbourne recently -that gentleman f:ot a strong impression that a Panama route service j could be secured for £75,000. ••■ In reply to questions, the Chairman said that he should be prepared to liive to the Government the name of the house, if asked. He had no interest in the matter, end he did not want to be connected with it—either directly or indirectly. He Ix'-an with the simple desire to learn what was the best that could be done for the Pro-

Mr. 7C B. Cargill: What class ot steamers would The Chairman: Thc-re would be a guarantee of 240 knots a-day. ' . ■ . Sir. Cargill: But what would be the size of the steamers ?

The Chairman : 1800 tons. Mr. Morris : The offer v for a very low amount, The Chairman : You would not think so, if you knew ali the ramifications of the plan. There are various reasons why the service can be done 60Mr. John Curgill: What route would be taken from Pa«»«ma ? The Chairman said he did not know. I here would be a guarantee for the delivery of the mails in 48 da s. . E B "CartjiH thought it was very important to be known .whether the L50.000-was the full sum to be required, or « hether the House would look to set as much from the Home authorities. The Chairman did not krow exactly. He knew that the House did look for something beyond the LSO 000, bat not from • New Zealand,, or in fact frooi the Australian colonies. . ■ . Mr E B Cargill repeated that the point was an important one, in enabling the Government to

I thi^frni ,' e K -here 8a raas^able prospect of -the proposal being carr ic.d out. To ruu monthly }. ifS 01 'j BOO t°lt8 'Ilt> guaranteed speed of 10 knots an hour, for a auosidy of L 50.000 only, vould break down any firm, however high or n£ , ; -L-V , v be (i «ne. But if that sum was to be ordy a moiety of the subsidy, the affair H X\ p ™scn £ a vei7 diirerent complexion, . Uio Chairman said he was not at all in a positmn to speak positively. His impression was t'»atitwas only regarded as a moiety. He benoved thore ;.vo.ild be some anangement with the West India Mail Company. wil"®' ?' Ciir S'n did Jl°* -Jiko that feature. h iiat would bo t!ie change for passengers ? The present overland route was altogether beyond tie means of the generality of passengers, seeing t.iat it cost about-£l5O from Melbourne to Southampton. ; • The Chairman said that there was a gentleman nere in connection with the Panama route, abo.t tiio.timo when he (the Chairman) first mentioned the matter to the Chamber. He had unfortunately mislaid some memoranda which he then obtained ; but he believed that the passage rates named were .£3O out and £88 homo, to cover all expenses. Mr Martin said that if the offer was a genuine one which he could not doubt, it was a chance that Otago ought not to let slip. If the arrangement was concluded, Otago would (postal iy) supersede all the other provinces, indeed all the Australian Colonies. Mr. Moss admitted that the offer was a fineone. .But where we^e they to get £50,000 ayear. | The Chairman said that his view was that the ! liability should'be incurred by the Government. It was not possible to suppose that the other Provinces, and even Melbourne and Sydney would not f.elcom.elied ve.-y shortly to *ask to come into the bargain. At kasS there could be a very positive arrangement that.tho steamers should not cany letters addressed to any. province that uui not contribute

Mr. Moss thou-rhfc that Melbourne would rather contribute to oppose, than to support, such a service.

Mr. Martin donbted whether such would be the case. Otago and Melbourne were now- very closely connected ; and if there was any taking of sides, it would most probably be Melbourne with Otago, and Sydney with Wellington. Mr. E. B. Cargill did not believe that there was any fooling in such matters between Melbourne an.i Sydney.

The Chairman said that the point to he considered was, whether a recommendmion should be made to the Provincial or the General Government, to close with the offer. Could Ota^o venture upon it ? Mr. E. 13. Cargill would decidedly say "No," if Otago w.ui to have to find the L 50.000 'a vcar.

lhe Cnairman said he was decidedly in favour °L I'rovincial Government closing with the offer. If the other provinces di i not contribute they would certainly get no letters. Mr. E. 13. Ca.-giU did not think there was gtm. rantee enough in that, for Otago becoming liable lor 1,50,000 a year. The Chainuin was sure they would gladly pay a smalt subsidy so as to secure a fortnightly instead of a monthly mail. He believed lhat th" proposal of Mr. Crosbie Ward had reference to the hoiisa to which he (the Chairman) referred. M.. Moss said there were many mis-statements in the papers and otherwise, about the objects and intentions of Mr. Ward. That gentleman came tiete on las late visit, with the avowed intention ot going to Melbourne about this very thing. A Panama route service w:is one of his favourite idea.-}. . i

The Chairman said he believed Mr. Ward got his information from a gentleman to whom he (the Chairman) spoke shortly after his return. Mr. Moss remarked that if the General Government < a ried out the matter, Wclii.iLt m would no doubt he the terminus.

The Chairman said that in such a case, the cost would be £5000 more than if Ota<»o 'was the terminus.

Mr. Moss—And the difference between gettiii" and not getting the terminus wilt be immense. " It-was decided to postjHine the'further consjueration of the matter until Tuesday next at three o'clock.

The Secretary was directed to obtain necessary furniture for the office, and the meeting'then adjourned.