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Southland Times, Issue 600, 5 December 1866, Page 3

In reply to questions by members Mr Calder said there appeared no other obstacle thai) the lien to the opening of the line. He explained that up to a certain point the Provincial Government, had been dealing with the matter now in the hands of the General Government. Mr Habtey questioned how the contract for completion would be affected. Mr Macdonald thought if the lien was the only obstacle that the course proposed by Mr Calder would be the best, but the public did not know how far the line was advanced as a part was not in the hands of the contractors. Tf the lien were all then go to the General Government if there were other matters concerning the Provincial Government it would be better to send the memorial to them. The Chairman said it appeared the lien had been overlooked. It was monstrous that such should be the case if that was a sample of the administration by the General Government of Southland affairs they had little to expect from it. Mr Hare — What does PSterson say about it ? Mr Calder — We are not discussing that. Mr Hake— Why the .£llOO would be paid off in less than two months if the line were working. Mr Watson spoke of the delay as exceedingly vexatious. Mr Harvey — The Provincial Government might have settled it long since. Two months ago, when a deputation waited on His Honor on the subject he said the line might be open in three days, yet the opening appeared as fai off as ever. In the course of some conversational discussion which followed, Mr Calder pointed out that the General Government had invariably treated the communications of . the Chamber with consideration, . and urged that such being the case it would b# better to move directly rather than through the Provincial Government. Besides, they knew what was to be done and would be quite agreeable. He would move — " That a sub-committee consisting of Messrs M'Pherson, Buchanan, Law and the mover be appointed to draw np a memorial to the General Government on the subject of the Bluff Harbor and luvercargill Railway, and having power to dispatch an abstract of said memorial by telegraph. Further that the same Committee be authorised to communicate with the Provincial Government on the same subject." Seconded by Mr D. M 'Donald and carried. Mr Reynolds asked what had become of the committee appointed to confer with the Government respecting the leasing of the line ? The Chairman replied they had not yet brought up any report, probably thinking there was time enough to-do so. Mr Hare suggested the necessity for care in making any arrangement for working the line prior to its completion, so as not to interfere in any way with the rights of the contractors. Mr Reynolds here stated that it was publicly known that the Provincial Council was summoned for the 2nd January next, when the question would be discussed. Mr Calder thought the railway should be open before that. Mr Harvey said it had always seemed that the Government was desirous to have it appear that the public wished to have the line opened before completion. Mr Calder — But the pressure of public opinion was brought to bear to prevent the line being opened until the engineer had passed it as completed. That would be impossible for a long time as there were works to finish at the Bluff. Mr Hare— ls there not something to be done on the line too. Mr Harvey was under the impression that the tenders were for the completion of the whole line. Mr Calder — There are sheds and offices to erect. If the public agitation were to go its whole length, the line could not be completed for a long time. If the lien were removed the line could be worked in the interim. Mr Russell thought they should leave the responsibility of what should be done if the lien were removed with the local government. The object of the Chamber was to have the line opened at some rate. The Chairman — "But no one can plead ignorance of the recent agitations." Mr Calder said it was impossible to open the line in compliance \sith the conditions laid down by the public. But it could be used temporarily by the contractors, who were willing to run trains on their own responsibility. The whole thing lay in a nutshell. It need not affect the relations between the contractors and the government, or give rise to disputes or injure them in any way. Mr Harvey considered that a question for the engineer. Mr Calder understood him to consider the line ready for traffic, with the exception of a few days' work on the lower portion. The subject was then dropped. JETTY DUES. The Chairman called attention to the present scale of Jetty dues, which he characterised as both unbusinesslike and unjust to importers. He referred to excessive rates in proportion to bulk of goods. He instanced the case of a settler who had to pay Jetty dues on a reaping machine amounting to nearly 50 per cent on the home price. This arose from the charge being progressively increased after a certain size or weight, until from Is 6d

the dues reached 50s per ton. A general discussion took place in the course of which it was stated, that the present lessees of the Jetty had proposed to cliargp a uniform rate of Is 6d per ton, and plank over the flooring so as to allow drays to pass along it to ships side. It was also stated that an extension of time (two months) had been allowed by the government. The scale of Jetty dues at the Bluff was also freely canvassed. Ultimately, it was moved by Mr Buchanan, seconded by Mr Harvey, and carried — ''That Messrs Law, M'Pherson, Moore and Calder do form a sub-committee to confer with the Provincial Government on the subject of the Jetty dues." THE STAMP ACT. Mr Moore called the attention of the Chamber to the coming into operation on the Ist January next of the Stamp Act, and pointed out the desirability of laying down rules for the practice to be observed with reference to transactions under its provisions. He would move — " That the acceptors of bills, drawers of cheques, and receivers of moneys, pay for the stamps under the new Act, and that an entry to this effect be embodied in the scale of mercantile charges and usages issued by the Chamber." It was also decided that the tare on wool be entered as 101 b. per bale on washed and 111 b. on greasy. The election of office-bearers for the next year was next proceeded with. It resulted as follows : — Chairman : Mr W. H. Calder ; Vice-Chairman : Mr J. MacPherson ; Auditors : Messrs Brodrick and Adamson ; Secretary and Treasurer : Mr Nutter. It was arranged tint for the future meetings of the Chamber should be held in the offices formerly used as the Savings Bank. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting separated. .■ . . .