Correspondence
April 2, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 2, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
Your favour of the 20th ult. to hand and we note what you write therein.
As regards Robert Cutler for the “Queen Alexandra” you can cut him off the list, as with the experience you have had during the past two years, you know who your good and bad customers are. However, you recommend Jacob Perry of Gooseberry Islands as he has two traps of his own, and all other gear, but unfortunately no money. If he is willing to take the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA” and pay her out, see what price he is prepared to pay for her, and, of course, it is understood that should we agree to see her to him, he is to do his utmost to pay as quickly as possible. Give him as an inducement, the fact that we are prepared to make a reduction in price if she is paid out within a reasonable time. /p.2/ Evidently from what you write of the Collins Brothers, their characters leave a lot of be desired, however, we shall give them another trial in the “CHALLENGE” and see how they come out this year.
Trusting that you will soon be able to advise us of brighter trade conditions,
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED,
Director.
April 11, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 11, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
Your favour of the 2nd inst. to hand and contents noted. We expected Oram would take the “ELSIE D.” again; this now leaves the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA” and the “VIRGINIA.”
We had a wire from Cutler on Thursday advising that he was prepared to take over the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA” and work her out. We replied stating that other arrangements had been finalized, as doubtlessly you have carried out your ideas expressed in your letter under date of the 26th ult.
We are surprised to learn that the “STELLA’S” gear is in a deplorable state. Please let us have details, as we wish to take this matter up with Bragg when he comes on.
Your present order is having our attention and goods will go forward first possible chance.
We also acknowledge your remittance of $391.64, under separate cover, which amount has been placed to the credit of your account.
Your sales are not much to boast about, but we assume from now on that trade will be more brisk.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED,
Director.
April 16, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 16, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
We acknowledge receipt of your favours of the 9th inst. (2) with enclosure, under registered cover, of $416.86, and also cheque in favour of A. Hunt, £5:7:10; the latter amount we have cased at the Bank and credited your account at $25.52.
This morning we wired you as having an exceptionally good cash offer for the “WOBBY,” which we could hardly turn down, especially as it is really a higher price than we were going to ask Brown Bros. to buy her out, so, under the circumstances we thought it as well to wire you to this effect and now have your reply stating that although Browns will be disappointed, you agree with our decision. Naturally, we do not wish to see Browns hung up on our account, and, therefore, think that with slight repairs they ought to be able to make the “VIRGINIA” do this year, and then, all things being well, we would be prepared to assist them in the repairs of the schooner in the fall. Last year when you put this idea before us there was no bounty in sight, but now as the bounty is quite a substantial one, we are prepared to consider the idea next year. We trust that Browns will see this matter in a reasonable light.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED.
Director.
April 24, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 24, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
Your favour of the 15th and 16th inst. (2) to hand with enclosure in the latter of $265.60, which amount has been placed to the credit of your account.
Regarding the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA” you and Hoddinott are in a position to know what this schooner is worth, and we shall leave the matter in your hands. What amount of cash is Perry in a position to pay down? Get as much as you possibly can from him, and advise him that the more he can pay down, the less the vessel will cost him. If he is willing to take her, you will have to put insurance on her Hull and Outfits, in al probability to cover the amount of advances.
“ELSIE D.” We are quite prepared to have this matter adjusted when Oram comes on in the spring.
Referring to your letter of the 16th inst. with reference to certain people who owe us money and you think the amounts might be collected. This will have our immediate attention and we shall advise you in connection with same in short.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED.
Director.
April 29, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 29, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
We are in receipt of your favour of the 23rd inst. with enclosure under registered cover of notes and cheques to the value of $356.11, which amount we have placed to the credit of your trade account.
We have had a couple of messages from Brown and this morning in receipt of another saying that it is impossible to do anything with the “VIRGINIA” and unless we can get the “NIMROD” for him, his summer will be lost. Now, we do not wish to have this happen, and on thinking matters over, if Perry has not taken the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA,” why hand her over to Brown under agreement. If Perry had taken her, then send Brown to have a look at the little “NIMROD” as she now lies at Newtown, and wire us her condition and the cost of getting her ready to prosecute this year’s fishery.
Note the “STELLA’S” traps are nearly ready and you will advise us the entire cost of repairs in due course. It is about time that you heard from Bragg, as we do not wish the sailing for the Straits to be as late as it was last year.
All your orders have had our attention, and, as requested, goods were shipped per “SEABIRD” we trust that she has discharged her cargo satisfactorily.
Regarding the list of delinquent debtors, we are doing the best we can to collect them from this end, but you must realise /p.2/ that as far as the Seal Fishery and the Sealers’ wages are concerned, that they cannot be stopped; however, we shall see if we cannot bluff George Sparks into doing something.
Mr. Reddy is attending to the matter of butter discount for 1934.
As far as we can see there is no possible chance of an early cargo of coal, bearing in mind the condition of affairs now existing at Sydney, but as soon as things become more settled there, we shall endeavour to get a cargo to you without any loss of time.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED,
Director.
April 30, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
April 30, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
This is to advise you that today we have credited your account with $40.00 received from George Sparks on account of his old debt. He promises to pay the balance between no and June 1st, which we think very satisfactory, providing he lives up to his promise.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED.
Director.
February 14, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
February 14, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
Your favours of the 24th ult. and 6th inst. to hand, contents of which have had our attention.
Evidently there would be some difficulty in wasted glass in rearranging your windows, so we will let the matter stand over for the present. At the same time we wish you to carry out Mr. Hammond’s suggestion of changing your display as often as possible.
As regards the balance in our books, Mr. Reddy is extremely busy at the present time, but we shall give the matter our attention within a few days and shall write you our findings.
COAL ACCOUNT. Whilst we are quite prepared to consider your showing for last year very satisfactory, yet we do not see where the hardship or difficulty arised in getting the amount of coal actually sold. You have had two cargoes, plus the stock in hand at the end of 1923, and less the stock in hand 1924, ought to give you the correct number of tons sold. We are prepared to give you all the assistance necessary to do a profitable coal trade, providing the cash or barter is at Greenspond for same.
The question now arises, what are you going to do about the schooners this year? The “STELLA” Bragg will have again. As you /p.2/ say the “VIRGINIA” is now about worn out, see if you can get any offers for her. What about the “ELSIE D.” and what is Oram thinking of doing? Can you make any arrangements for the “QUEEN ALEXANDRA” this year?
Concerning Brown’s account, he really purchased the “VIRGINIA” from us for $450.00. Now we are not prepared to let him throw her up after having had the use of her for nothing, and whilst we can quite see your point that they are hard working fellows, we might be able to put something their way and during the coming week will make enquiries to see how the “WOBBY” could suit, and what amount would be necessary to spend on her.
As regards old debtors, we consider you did very well last year, but at the same time when people owe a firm money, they must realise that they must do their utmost to pay up. We do not believe in skinning a shirt off a man’s back, but we do wish to impress upon all debtors their responsibility in purchasing goods on credit. Note that you intend summoning Anstey as soon as travelling conditions warrant same. As far as Alfred Hunt was concerned he was in the “JASPER” and we certainly did not take back that vessel in consideration of all he owed us, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the Greenspond trade debt. Kenneth Pond evidently needs to be urged so keep after him. Note that you have made arrangements with the coopers to get some cooperage from them, and also lumber from Situah Brown, which is satisfactory, as long as the lumber and cooperage are forthcoming, and the cooperage proves to be good number one packages.
Now as far as Arch and Wm. Pond are concerned, if their vessel is not good, it is useless taking it; see what their fishing gear is worth, but before taking it over, make them an offer for it, or if they are not prepared to accept your offer ask them if they are willing to have it put up for auction. You can look over their houses, advise if they are saleable, and what you think they would fetch, but before taking action, advise the amount outstanding after the gear had been valued.
No the signer never considered you disinterested, and as a proof of this we authorise you to draw $50.00 as gratuity for work done last year.
We received a letter from Mr. Hoddinott asking if we could let him have a rise in wages, but at the present time the business does not warrant any further overhead expenses. We think that you have both worked hard in our interests, and you can also hand Mr. Hoddinott $50.00 in the way of gratuity, telling him that as soon as the business gets on a sounder basis – and it has improved considerably under your management – his salary will be reconsidered.
We will look into the matter of discount on butter for last /p.3/ year as soon as our book-keepers have finished more important work.
We also acknowledge receipt of $312.92, which amount we placed to the credit of your account.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED,
Director.
January 7, 1925
James Baird Limited
Baird Buildings
St. John’s, Newfoundland
January 7, 1925
Mr. William Clarke, Mgr.,
Messrs. James Baird, Ltd.,
Greenspond.
Dear Sir:
We acknowledge receipt of yours of the 30th ult. with enclosure of cheque for $527.33, which amount we have placed to the credit of your account. We also acknowledge statement of weekly sales from Dec. 22 to 27th.
Herewith you will find enclosed Fish receipts amounting to $1539.00 and $209.49; also Credit Note for Bottles, Casks and Molasses returned to the value of $172.24.
Mr. Hammond arrived yesterday, but as yet we have not had time to go into the figures contained in the report.
Yours truly,
JAMES BAIRD LIMITED,
Director.