THE PROPOSED NEW DOCK.

Evening Star, Issue 11896, 26 May 1903, Page 2

THE PROPOSED NEW DOCK.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—l regret being compelled to spoil your fun re my statement “that owing to the large increase in the sale of water” the loss from licenses would be more than made. You misquoted me by using the word "Use” instead of my word “sale,” but the innocent are easily amused. 'The extra revenue from the sale of water is principally from the shipping. The inis £469, the loss from licenses will be £314, leaving a balance of £155. Re the rates, the present rate is, as stated by me, 2s Bd. As you will see by enclosed slip from town clerk’s office, a sanitary rate of 6d will probably have to be collected in 1904. Yoa deserve tho thanks of all for your dear report of the large meeting, but inst'uid of being “like a lot of children dying for the moon,” unless I mistake the temper of the meeting, which was thoroughly representative, Port Chalmers and surrounding districts are determined not to let the trade of their port pass away, but '■!! do their very utmost, to assist the Trust to finance the proposal.—l am, etc., Forward, Port Chalmers. May 25. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—At the meeting of ratepayers, etc., on Friday last re proposed dock ah Port Chalmers, it was noticeable that the whole meeting was run in a very one-sided manner, and our worthy mayor did not rise to the occasion, as has been his forte hitherto. Although the citizens present were apparently unanimously in favor the proposal, it is quite within the range of probability that the voting on the question will not be nearly so unanimous as is expected. Many in the hall, although not taking any active part, can andi will <put . this and that together and think for themselves, the “ take my word for it ” style idnpted by the mover notwithstanding. One question agitating the minds of the public at present is the expensive manner in which the Dock Trust is managed. A suggestion which I consider is worthy of consideration by that body is to endeavor to' run it on better commercial lines. It is patent to anyone taking an interest in matters pertaining to the welfare'of Port Chalmers that the annual expenditure for salaries, etc., is altogether beyond requirements ; in fact, the Dock Trust is troubled with too much management, the remedy for which is the pruning knife, commencing not, as is usual, with those workers who do most work and receive the least pay, but with the already too-well-paid officials. The Trust cun save some hundreds annually by a judicious weeding out of dronei, the duplicating of duties which even then would be very light, and the abolition of bonuses to already overpaid officials. This reform can be easily accomplished without in any way affecting the efficiency of the staff—it might even improve it. It only requires backbone on iho part of the members of the Trust to place this institution in a much better financial position than at present, and at .he same time merit the confidence of tho public.—l am, etc., . Ratepayer. May 25.