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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 82

"Dunedin, 31st January, 1885

page 3
"Dunedin,

"To His Worship the Mayor and Councillors, City of Dunedin.

"Gentlemen,—We notice that your Council has adopted the report of the Tramways Committee, by which yon concede to the Dunedin and Forbury Railway and Tramway Company sundry privileges for a term of fourteen years, and amongst them that of the sole right to lay down sidings on the new streets about to be formed on the reclaimed land, and to work all the sidings now existing or that may be connected therewith. This has taken us entirely by surprise, and on inquiry we learn that this concession was granted by your Council to Mr Kettle, the solicitor for above-mentioned Company on the clear understanding (implied or otherwise) that he was acting in unison with, and jointly for, the present siding holders, as well as for the said Company, Such, however, is not the case, but very much the reverse, as it is ful y two months, if not more, since he was distinctly told that we were quite unable to agree to the terms offered by him for the erection and maintenance of the sidings and haulage of trucks, and that he must consider all negotiations in the matter at an end.

"In order to show you the extreme injustice that would be done, not only to the present siding-holders, but to others that will doubtless require them as the land is built on, should this concession be ratified, it will be necessary to go somewhat fully into the facts from which this result has been evolved.

"When it became known that Mr Blair was about to be removed to Wellington, the present holders waited upon him to consult as to a connection of the sidings at the south end with the new line of railway after the removal of the old line from Crawford street. At this meeting several suggestions were made, and Mr Blair's support obtained, as far as he could then promise; and Mr Kerr was deputed to look after the interests of the siding holder, and do what he thought necessary towards getting a connection made with the new line. Mr Kerr then had a plan drawn out showing the streets on rec aimed land, in accordance with the plans of the Harbor Board, and the various sidings as at present existing, with a scheme for their connection with the new line. He also had several interviews with the Board's chairman, Mr Ross, and their engineer, Mr Barr, putting this plan before them, and at once secured their support end that of the Board generally, Mr Ross going so far, in order to facilitate tha working of the sidings and do away with the sharp curve, as to propose a skew street in lieu of the extension of Manse street, which was at that time planned as in a straight line, and this same skew street is now finally determined upon. Mr Karr then prepared a plan showing the sidings connected with the main line by a line in the centre of the skew street, and that plan Mr Kerr, in a etter dated July 20, 1884 (as per copy enclosed), laid before your Council, requesting your consent thereto, and this was the first time the matter came before you. This letter was referred to the Works or Tramways Committee, and has up to this date not been replied to, and is therefore still before your Council. Several consultations ensued between the City Surveyor, Mr Barr, and Mr Lowe, the Engineer Working Railways, resulting in as many alterations and modifications of the original plan.

"Towards the end of July Mr Kerr proceeded to Wellington and interviewed Messrs Blackett, Blair, Maxwell, and Hannay, and obtained their consent to the scheme with certain modifications and restrictions; and on his return to Dunedin, early in September the matter merely wanted the adjustment of some minor details in the matter of curves, etc., and was in a fair way of being carried out to the entire satisfaction of all parties concerned, when Mr Kettle stepped in, causing a delay both vexing and troublesome.

"About 8th September this gentleman called on Mr Kerr explaining that he was acting on behalf of a new Company formed to take over and work the o d Peninsula and Ocean Beach tramway line, and inquired whether it would not be judicious to have the siding and tramways worked together as one system, as he was quite sure that, no matter what it would cost the holders to do their own hau age, his Company could and would do it cheaper. Mr Kerr informed him that there would be no objection to this provided such was the case, and agreed to take no further action for a few days until Mr Kettle could get sufficient data to enable him to make an offer on behalf of his Company. Shortly after this, at Mr Kettle's request, Mr Kerr attended a meeting of one of your committees, in order, as Mr Kettle put it, to strengthen his hands. At this meeting Mr Kerr, noticing that the members seemed to be under the impression that the siding-holders were already bound to Mr Kettle's Company, specially mentioned to His Worship the Mayor and the councilors present that he understand his letter was still before the Council, and that any proposition of Mr Kettle in connection with the sidings was only to be granted in case of their being able to agree together as to terms, etc., and this was at once assented to by the meeting and by Mr Kettle.

"Mr Kerr then obtained a tender from Messrs. Gibson and Smart to do all the haulage to and from main line and sidings, by horse-power, at 1s per truck and 3 pel truck for empties. Mr Kettle shortly afterwards tendered to do the same work at 4s per truck, or about 9½d per ton; and, on this being declined by Mr Kerr, Mr Kettle requested further delay to enable him to go into the matter, and some time after reduced his tender to 2s 6d per truck.

page 4

"About this time Mr Maxwell, in a letter to Mr Lowe, mentioned several conditions that would require to be fulfilled by the siding-holders before the Government would connect their sidings with the main line—one of those being that in future they would require them to be all under the management of one responsible party or firm, with whom the Government would deal, instead of with so many individual holders as at present. At a meeting then called, these tenders and Mr Maxwell's letter were considered, and, it being stated that owing to one of the present siding-holders probably not wishing to go to any further expense with his siding, which would thus cause a decrease in the amount of traffic, upon which Messrs Gibson and Smart's tender was based, it was resolved that Mr James Anderson's offer of the same terms—viz, 1s per truck and 3d for empties (notwithstanding the decreased traffic)—should be accepted; and that Mr James Anderson be also appointed to take entire charge of the sidings, and be responsible to the Government for the carrying out of all conditions imposed by them. Mr Kettle was thereupon distinctly informed that his offer was declined, and that all negotiations were at an end between us and the Company. This was fully three months ago, since when we have held no communication whatever on the subject with him; yet, despite that, he gives you to understand that he is still acting in unison with us.

"During the time of negotiations with Mr Kettle the latter gentleman asked Mr Kerr if he would endeavour to get passed through Parliament a Bill, which would be necessary before the sidings could be made along any street, saying that, in the event of the siding-holders not being able to make satisfactory arrangements with his Company, the Bill would still be of service to us (the siding-holders). This Bill Mr Kerr sent to Mr Gore, and wrote to eight or nine other members requesting their support in having the Bill put through. A large number of letters and telegrams passed, ending in a telegram from the Premier, dated 10th October, as follows :—Matter not being overlooked; Minister of Public Works attending to it, and he hopes to be able to meet your wants without fresh legislation.' The result of this pressure was the receipt by Mr Lowe of a letter from the General Manager of Railways (copy enclosed) directing him to carry out the work himself, on getting a guarantee from the siding-holders to pay the cost of same, and on undertaking to sign an agreement with your Corporation when called upon to do so. This guarantee was handed to Mr Lowe on the 20th October, and he at once communicated with the Harbor Board and Corporation, asking their consent to the siding being laid by government. Several interviews and communications by telephone were held by Messrs Lowe and Kerr in order to hurry the matter forward, and at length, on the 28th January, Mr Lowe was able to reply to Mr Kerr, but in a manner which has been a complete surprise to one and all of us (copy enclosed). In order to show you more fully the very great injustice which would be done to us and future siding-holders by granting this concession to the Tramway Company, we append a few figures, showing the relative cost of Mr Kerr's scheme and the line as laid down by Government. Mr Lowe's estimate for laying the whole connection is £210; this amount, at 8 per cent., gives £16 16s as per annum. The number of full trucks over sidings per year estimated at 6,440, at 1s each, equals £322; and 4,740 empties, at 3d each, equals £59 5s; rent to City Corporation of five sidings, at £12 per annum, equals £60, or a grand total of £458 : any future siding-holders bearing their share of the first expense of £210. The charges under Mr Kettle's scheme would be—6,440 trucks at 2s 6d, equal to £803, leaving a balance on present traffic in favour of the Government laying the line of £347 per annum. But the concession to them now under consideration allows them to charge, if they think proper, 1s 9d per ton, say at five tons per truck, equaling no less a sum than £2817; and also £l5 per annum for rent, instead of £12, or a total in all of £2,892, against the previously mentioned amount, £458.

"The actual difference to us at present between having the goods carted to and from railway station and delivered into sidings is 1s 1d per ton, which, on 6,440 trucks, is £1,744, from which must be deducted the cost of maintenance and rent of sidings; but against this we have to accept all risks for loss or damage of contents. Of course, under the Government scheme, some small charge will be required annually for maintenance; but this will be something very trivial. Further, Mr Anderson would work the sidings by horse-power, which would be much more convenient to the sidingholders, and give no cause for complaint to the citizens generally; as would doubtless be the case were steam-power used, as intended by the Tramway Company.

"We think we have now shown you good and substantial reasons why this concession should be withheld from the Company, as far as railway sidings are concerned.

—We are, etc.,

Reid and Gray.

A. Imrie.

J. Anderson."

"Dunedin Iron and Woodware Co.

(Per William Henderson).

"British and N.Z. Mortgage Agency Co.

(Per G. Joachim).