THE CALLIOPE DOCK.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11398, 8 October 1902, Page 8

THE CALLIOPE DOCK.

INCREASED DiPERIAL SUBSIDY.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, August 29.

For some time past Mr J. M. Brighaan, Secretary to the Auckland Harbour Board, has been in London, one of the main purposes of his visit being to induce the Naval authorities to increase the subsidy lo ba paid toward the equipment of the Calliope Dock at Auckland. It will be remembered that when the Admiralty, yielding to the efforts initiated by Mr J. H. Witheford, decided to assist in the equipment of the dock, it was arranged that that help should be in the form of a subsidy, extending over a period of thirty years, such subsidy to be £88,500, or £2950 per annum. This amount was found insufficient. Henoa Mr Brigham's visit to London.

Since his arrival, that gentleman has worked extremely hard to attain the object in view. From what I can learn, very little hope of success was at first held out —the matter having been once disposed of, the Admiralty were averse from re-opening it. But by persastent "pegging away," Mr Brigham succeeded in getting first one and then another high official to take his view, and now I learn a full measure of success has attended his efforts, the Board of Admiralty having agreed to raise the subsidy to £5000 per annum for the same period as before, viz., thirty years.' 'In other words, a sum of £150,000, spread over the period mentioned, is to be allowed.

During his stay in England, Mr Brigham has not been out of,town for a day, except to see the Naval Review at Spithead. What with the Calliope Dock, and other Auckland Harbour Board matters, he has been kept too busy in London; added to this, the recent death of his son in New Zealand has made his visit to this country an unusually quiet one. Mr Brigham\ leaves for Auckland on Tuesday next.'