He bad cabled to his agents at St Vincent to have the boat supplied with provisions and despntohod as promptly aa possible Ho far us she had gono, Mr Darling said the tug had made good progress, and he expected that with fair luck she would make the run put m four months. Two letters wore enoloaed which Mr Dar- 1 ling had received from tho builders of tho Mana, urging that thoy should not be fined for delay m delivering the tug, as the delay hnd been entirely boyond their control. They offered 6s por ton premium for material to j get deliveries, but with that inducement could not get them, and it was fire months after signing the contract beFbro they bad materi"! to make a start with. Then, under standing that the tug was wan'e'l io a hurry thoy gave this contract pronedonco of others. Bvery firm on tho Clyde was behind with its contracts, and they thought it would be straining tho penalty clause to male a claim for delay, when it was owing to bad de liveries and difficulties with the men. Mr Darling stated ho would insist on some consideration for tho dolay, if only eufiicient to cover interest. It was deoided to loave this mattor m tho bands of Mr Darling. i COBBBBEONDBNOK. Mr O. Q-. Tripp sent a copy of a letter published m the Herald, suggoiting thfe con struction of three short walls oft the break water, for the purpose of trapping the travelling shingle. — Heccivcd. From the (Jas Company, informing the board that owing to the increase m the price, of coal through tbo labour trouble, the com pany must make the gross chargo (16s per 1000) no discount being allowed. Unless they could get a supply during the month, tho director* fearod that they would have to close their works. Tlio best offer they bad for n supply was £6 2s (Id per ton. A letter and testimonials respecting LaoV'a gas pressure governor woro read, and referred to the engineer. ACCOUNTS. The railway return of wharfage collected for the four tveokß ondod 13th Septomber was £463 Ga 2d. The secretary stated that tho amount was nearly all earned m the last fortnight of August, very little work bad been done during September. Business wbb now beginning to show improvement. 