Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Southland Times, Issue 714, 23 August 1867, Page 3

To-day the Provincial Treasurer waited upon us to state that the" Government could not possibly^ get the documents ready by this .mail, but are now preparing same against next steamer. Further 1 , that they have thip day applied to the General Government for leave to sendher over to Melbourne for sale, and that by next mail they hope to have their consent. The Government "express a. desire that you should become their agent (Under our instructions) generally, for Australia,, and to-day their Treasurer . (Mr Blacklock) put the enclosed accounts" into our hands for examination. The Governmet has -accepted the draft for j within amount, but as the English price for the identical goods- (Fish plates) is twenty pounds instead of fifty-six pounds per ton ; they tbink some serious error haa somewhere crept in. The Treasurer has accepted under protest, and requests you to endeavor to find out the true market price of theso items and acquaint, ua of your success. . .... - We are, &c, ; (Signed.) Mitchell and Co. | ■■■■"- Melbourne, 35th December, 1866. s.s. "Albion." Deab Sibs, — Your letter dated the 20th ult. I duly received, and is before me. The Southland Government is evidently making a fool of both you and I. in regard to selling the steamer " Southland," for at the very time you wrote that the Treasurer had called upon you to state that they were preparing the documents I required, the Government were actually taking it out of our hands altogether, and placing it in the hands of another firm (Francis & Co). The enclosed advertisement which appeared in the " Argus," will prove the correctness of the above. Ido not much care about it, but it has placed me in an awkward position with the parties with whom I was negotiating a sale, and as I have taken a great deal of trouble, and had no doubt of selling her, I can certainly claim the usual withdrawal commission. In regard to the information you requ're as to the value of Railway Fish Plates. I enclose the written offer of Amos and Co., to supply the articles in question at one half the price the Government has been charged. I may mention that they are the same as those used on the Hobson's Bay Eailway and what has been sent to the Queensland Government. Unless the Government can give a satisfactory explanation as to their advertisement in the "Argus," you should not give them this information, because it appears to me that they have not acted in a straightforward manner, for atter getting my letter of the 10th November they ought to have told you of their intention to call for tenders through another firm. The Queensclitt'e Co., (who were the intending purchasers) as well as me have been placed in a foolish position. In fact I feel quite affronted. Your's &c, David Mitchell. Messrs Mitchell ; and Co., Invercargill. Invercargill, January, 15th, 1867. Bib, — Tour favor of the 31st ult., is before us, and has our attention. We respectfully submit that your Honor's letter, dated the 26th October last, authorising our "Australian" agent Mr David Mitchell, to act for us in the sale of the steamer " Southland," sufficiently defines the extent of our agency, as well as the conditions set down as to commission. Ist. No commission if a prior sale "was effected. 2nd. No commission if we were unable to effect a sale. The contract entered into between your Honor's Government and ourselves, implied a certain amount . of trouble and expense on our part, which was only to go unrewarded in the event of either of these contingencies, viz., a prior sale, or our inability to sell. We are in a position to prove that we were on the eve of completing successful negociations for her sale at a satisfactory price, when the " Argus" advertisement, announcing the appointment of another agent for the steamer, abruptly broke off these negociations. On the ground therefore, that the vessel has been taken out of our hands, and n0 ..." prior sale" been effected, as also on the ground of "our ability to sell" oh the date alluded to, your Honor will observe that our claim for. withdrawal commission rests upon solid grounds. At foot hereof your Honor will perceive that the commission claimed is "on the expected amount of purchase money, £7000. We are ; Your Honor's Obedient servants j. Mitchell & Co. (2 per cent on £7000, on £140.) To His Honor the Superintendent. Superintendent's Office, Southland, 26th Oct., 1866. Gentlemen, — I have the honor to enclose herewith a description of the steamer " Southland," with the object of your placing yourselves in communication with your Australian agent Mr David Mitchell, as to his being able to find a purchaser for that vessel. The cost of her to the Government was nearly £9,000, and she has done so little work that she may almost be called new. The Government is willing to take £5,000 cash for the vessel, and should your agent meet with a person willing to purchase, please advise him to close conditionally, in case of a prior sale, being effected. Commission on the transaction only in the event of you or your agent effecting a sale, and same not to exceed two per cent. I have the honor to be Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, John P. Taylob, Superintendent. Messrs Mitchell and Co., Dee-street. Superintendent's office, Southland, 27th, Nov. 1866 Gentlemen, — I have the honor to state that since I received your letter of the 19th inst., I have received a communication from the honorable the Colonial Secretary, suggesting that the Steamer "Southland" should be sold by public tender, to which I have assented and caused the necessary advertisements to be prepared. Be good enough to intimate this alteration in the mode of disposing of the vessel to your Melbourne Agent. I have the honor tobe, gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, ' JNO. P. TAYLOB, i iy v - »: Superintendoat, , Meaers Mitchell and Co., Decstraet.