3
This dock, together with the surrounding land, was subsequently acquired by the Patent Slip and Dock Company (afterwards the New Harbour Dock Company), and is now known as Dock No. 1. A second dock (now No. 2) was built by Captain Cloughton in 1867. About the same time Messrs. Buyers and Robb built a dock at Pulau Brani, known as Bon Accord Dock.
This dock after having first in 1870 been jointly acquired by the Company and the Patent Slip and Dock Company, was again acquired by the Tanjong Pagar and New Harbour Dock Companies in 1882 on a joint purse arrangement, the latter being the successor of the Patent Slip and Dock Company. It was leased to the Straits Trading Company for smelting works, for 20 years from the 1st January, 1899, at a rent of $750 per month. The lessees have the option of terminating the lease on the 31st December, 1908. The lessors' title is a 99 years' lease from the Government, dating from the 1st January, 1867, with a quit rent payable to Govern- ment of $252.37 per annum.
The project of the construction of a dock at Tanjong Pagar proper, appears to 1861-2. have been broached about the year 1861 or 1862, there being at that time a general feeling that further accommodation was required for docking vessels, and greater facilities for landing and shipping cargo. The chief promoters of the scheme were Mr. J. Fisher (afterwards of Messrs. Riley, Hargreaves and Company), Mr. M. F. Davidson (of Messrs. A. L. Johnston and Company), Mr. C. R. Rigg, Secretary to the Municipality, and Mr. Thomas Scott. The prospectus was issued on the 1st September, 1863, the proposed capital being $125,000 in 1,250 shares of $100 cach, with power to increase. Two blocks of land, adjoining each other, had pre- viously been purchased by the Syndicate, one from Mr. Gilbert Angus Bain for $24,000 and $6,000 worth of shares, and one from Mr. James Guthrie (of the firm of Messrs. Guthrie and Company) for $23,000. The negociations for the purchase of Mr. Bain's land were long and tedious, the reason being that the Messageries Imperiales were also would-be purchasers, and were endeavouring to outbid the promoters of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company.
On the 1st February, 1864, by a further prospectus, it was proposed to increase 1864. the capital of the Company to $200,000, divided into 2,000 shares of $100 each, and the proposal meeting with the necessary local support, on the 29th September in the same year the Company was duly registered, in the office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, under Indian Act No. XIX. of 1857 (an Act for the Incor- poration of Joint Stock Companies, and other Associations).
On the 24th February, 1865, the first half-yearly report and balance sheet 1865 were published.
The Directors at that time were:-
Mr. Thomas Scott.
Mr. C. H. H. Wilson.
Mr. C. P. Lana.
Mr. J. M. Purvis.
Mr. J. Joaquim.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
TELEC.O. 882
8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Mr. S. Gilfillan.
Mr. G. Cramer.
The building of a sea wall and embankment and the reclamation of swampy land was at once commenced as well as the construction of a road to the town (now known as Anson Road), and a fresh piece of land was also purchased from the Government, adding a sea frontage of 614 feet available for the construction of wharves. The Directors proceeded to carry out the objects of the Company, and the construction of a dock and erection of wharves were both commenced. The embankment and reclamation works in their early stages were much damaged by wet seasons and inroads of the tides, an earth and rock embankment on which much money had been spent being on one occasion completely carried away. The construction of coal sheds was also commenced during the year.
On the 28th February, 1866, at an extraordinary general meeting of share 1866. holders the issue of some new shares to the extent of a further $400,000 was authorised, but they were not readily taken up either by existing shareholders of