British Whig (Kingston, ON), 24 Apr 1897

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OFFER FROM THE COMPANY.

The Grain Elevator Scheme Discussed In Committee.

The grain elevator committee met last evening, chairman T. Donnelly presiding, and aldermen Carson, Ryan, Livingston, and Richardson in attendance.

The chairman said he had called the meeting to take action with the object of furthering the negotiations for the erection of an elevator. It was thought that the recommendation made at the last previous meeting would be satisfactory to the company. But to his surprise, the company had declined to accept that proposal, and had, through its solicitors, sent in another offer and he desired that the committee should have some recommendation to make to the council on Monday evening next.

Macdonnell & Farrell, solicitors for Edwin Mooers, and the grain elevator company, wrote as follows: "On behalf of Edwin Mooers, Esq., we are instructed to accept the offer of $25,000 offered by the corporation of the city of Kingston towards the erection of a 500,000 bushel, public, grain elevator in Kingston, the said corporation undertaking to use every legitimate means in their power to procure authority from the local legislature to exempt said elevator from taxation for a period of twenty years. If said authority be obtained or authority to grant exemption for a shorter period, it is understood that the corporation will grant exemption to the elevator to be built by said Edwin Mooers and his associates, in said city, for said term of years"

Alderman Ryan thought that Mr. Mooers should be requested to disclose to the committee at this stage the names and financial standing of the members of the company.

Alderman Carson said this would be unfair. The names of the members of the company will be made known when the proper time has arrived, but it should not be asked at this juncture.

Alderman Richardson thought that the offer made through Macdonnell & Farrell should be considered by the council before it came before the committee.

Alderman Richardson moved that the offer be referred to council.

Alderman Carson moved, seconded by alderman Livingston, "that as the bill brought before the legislature, at the instance of the city council, asking permission to grant a bonus of $25,000 and exemption from taxation to the proposed elevator company, has failed as regards exemption, this committee recommends that a bonus of $25,000 be granted to Edwin Mooers & Co. to build a 500,000 bushel grain elevator, and also recommend council to use its powers as such, to induce the Ontario legislature to pass a bill granting the exemption asked for in bill No. 37."

Alderman Ryan moved in amendment to the amendment, seconded by alderman Richardson, "that no further steps be taken in the matter till this committee and the council are satisfied as to the financial standing of the proposed elevator company to erect and properly operate the elevator."

Alderman Carson claimed that the amendment to the amendment was out of order.

The chairman stated that he was satisfied that it was the duty of the committee to recommend to council the acceptance of the latest offer made by the company, conditional on the company's giving satisfactory proof of the financial standing of its members.

Alderman Ryan said he would oppose any move that would compromise the council. The stock lists had been hawked about the city in search of subscribers, when at first it was said that the big grain dealers of Duluth would be shareholders.

Alderman Richardson said the committee would manage things in such a way as to prevent the building of the elevator. He would not attend any further meetings of the committee, and his people were with him. They would not stand further delay. He had an offer in the mayor's hands before the last council meeting, but out of courtesy to Mr. Mooers, and to give him all the chance he needed, he withdrew it. He was prepared to give the names and standing of the members of the company he was prepared to form.

Alderman Carson said he was willing to amend his resolution in the way suggested by the chairman, and the resolution was changed to read thus:

"That as the bill brought before the legislature, at the instance of the city council, asking permission to grant a bonus of $25,000 and exemption from taxation, to the proposed elevator company, has failed, as regards exemption, the committee recommends that a bonus of $25,000 be granted to Edwin Mooers & Co. to build a 500,000 bushel grain elevator, on condition that the said company satisfies the committee as to the financial standing of its members and of its ability to erect and operate the elevator in accordance with the terms of agreement with said company, and that this committee recommends the council to use its powers, as such, to induce the Ontario legislature to pass a bill granting the exemption asked for in bill No. 37."

This resolution was carried, aldermen Richardson and Ryan voting against it, aldermen Carson and Livingston in favor of it, and the chairman giving the deciding vote in favor of it.

ALONG THE WHARVES.

The sloop Madcap arrived from Bath yesterday with a consignment of baled hay for the Canada hay company.

The sloop Glad Tidings cleared from Rathbun company's wharf yesterday with shingles for a Clayton, N.Y., firm.

The steamer Ketcham with consort Owen, after discharging at the M.T. Co.'s elevators, cleared today for Chicago.

The steamer John E. Hall, after discharging a cargo of coal at R. Crawford & Co.'s wharf, cleared, light, for Oswego.

The Calvin company's steamer Bothnia will clear this afternoon for Cleveland, light, to load oak timber for Garden Island.

The Calvin company's steamer Armenia will clear for Toronto, light, this evening to take on a cargo of elm timber for her home port.

The tow barge built by A.W. Hepburn, Picton, was launched Friday. She is 150 feet keel, 32 feet beam, a 11 feet hold, and will have a carrying capacity of 1,000 tons.

The schooner Churchill was lightened today at the M.T. Co.'s elevators. The steamer Niko arrived up from Prescott and picked up the Churchill, clearing for Chicago.

All is activity along the water front controlled by the M.T. Co. Twenty more crews arrived from Valleyfield today and were put to work fitting out river barges. There is a forest of masts extending from the foot of Princess street to Cataraqui bridge.

The Alexandria Bay steamboat company has made the following appointments for the season of 1897: For steamer New Island Wanderer - captain, W.C. Hudson, of Clayton; engineer, James Estis, of Charlotte; purser, Charles Bacon, of Rochester. For steamer Island Belle - captain, E.F. Forrester, of Chippewa Bay; engineer, J. Carter, of Alexandria Bay; purser, Clarence Harder, of Redwood.

To Have Yacht Races - lake yacht racing association arranging schedule for summer.

p.6 Collins Bay, April 24th - ....R. Prettie has secured the position of second engineer on the steamer Orion. The C.P.R. company's boats all cleared on Saturday evening for the west to load lumber....The Tecumseh is expected on Tuesday with timber from Toledo....

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Evidence Was Taken.

The insurance case in which the schooner S.H. Dunn is concerned is progressing. Evidence was taken here a day or two ago before J.L. Whiting. It will be submitted to the court when the case is called at Buffalo. The suit consists of an action brought against a marine insurance company to recover the value of a cargo of iron ore sold to a pottery company at Liverpool, Ohio. The schooner Dunn was chartered to convey the ore from Brockville to Cleveland. While sailing up the St. Lawrence river the schooner struck a shoal, springing a leak, necessitating docking at Kingston and unshipment of the ore. The company afterwards refused to accept the ore, on the ground that it was inferior to that ordered. The seller of the ore thereupon entered action to recover the amount of insurance on the cargo, claiming it was injured by mud and water. The insurance company contends that the cargo was not so injured while in the vessel. There were six or eight witnesses examined here in connection with the case.

Went Ashore In A Fog.

Picton, Ont., April 24th - The steamer J.J. Hill, Capt. Andrews, Chicago to Prescott, with 50,000 bushels of corn, went ashore last night in a dense fog, half a mile west of Long Point light. She is out of water two feet aft and one foot forward. The lake is calm and the steamer is lying easy. A tug and a lighter from Kingston have gone to the steamer's assistance and will reach her tonight. The boat is in such a position that a wind from the south or west would have a serious effect on her.