OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

Evening Star, Issue 7282, 5 August 1887, Page 2

OTAGO DOCK TRUST.

The meeting of the Otago Dock Trust yesterday afternoon was attended by Mr E G. Allen (chairman), the Mayor of Dunedin, Messrs A H. Boss, A. Thomson, H. Gourley, and Captain J. Watson. CORRESPONDENCE. The manager of the U.S.S. Company wrote asking for an allowance on the charges for docking the ss. Waihora on account of the con--tinuous wet weather experienced while she wa*s in dock.

Mr G. Chick, contractor for reclamation, wrote stating that if the hulk Amherst were not removed he should claim compensation. The secretary of the Harbor Board intimated that the Board, with the view of accommodating the merchants of Port Chalmers, would give permission to land goods at the dock-head. The Board also applied for a reduction on the charges for docking the s.s. Plucky.—The rebate of one month's dues was granted. The Registrar of Lands wrote in reference to an error in the plans of one. of the Trust's endowments in Mussel Bay. —The secretary was instructed to see the error rectified. J. Jackson wrote regretting his inability to remove the hulk Amherst, and asking to be relieved of the responsibility.—Referred to the Works Committee. FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported that a progress payment of L4OO had been made to Mr 6. Chick,' and iti reference to Captain Thomson's application for a small increase of salary they recommended that it be acceded to. Mr Ross stated that he had gone over the balance-sheets for the half-year, and found the Trust had only L 583 to their credit. Of this* 1499 was derived from rents and Interest. This was a very small snm to credit, and it appeared to him it was no time to talk of increasing salaries. There was no gentleman in tho Colony for whom he entertained a greater personal regard than the gentleman who held the position of secretary. He should have no objection to the Finance Committee granting the increase during the time Captain Thomson acted as inspector of works. _ In respect to the expenditure, he was of opiiiion that it was exceedingly heavy, considering their financial position. The Chairman stated that a great many of the items included in the expenditure were not likely to occur again, and so far as their financial condition was concerned they had no reason to feel afraid. During the past six months L 495 had been expended on works not likely to recur, as repairs to engines, fees to the engineer, and legal expenses. The Match of Dunedin was of opinion that Mr i oss's suggestion was an excellent one. Mr Ross moved as an amendment to the recommendation of the Finance Committee—' " That the increase be granted to the secretary during the time he acted as inspector of works." The Mayor of Dunedin seconded the amendment.

Mr Gourlky was agreeab'y surprised at the sound finanoial condition of the Trust. It was the first occasion he had found any public body in such a position. He had great pleasure in supporting the Committee's recommendation. Mr A. Thomson cordially endorsed all that had fallen from Mr Gourley. Captain Thomson had never received any salary as seoretary. Only the proposer and seconder voted for the amendment, and the report was adopted.