A VIGOROUS LETTER FROM MR MACANDREW.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3138, 24 April 1883, Page 3

A VIGOROUS LETTER FROM MR MACANDREW.

' A meeting of the Pert Chalmew to;con-

wider the action of the l Government in proposing to lease portions of what should have been the Trust's endowment at Port Chalmers. The following letter from Mr Jas. Macandrew was read “Dunedin, April 23rd .—To the Secretary—Dear Sir :—I received your notice to attend the meeting .of the Otago Dock Trust, but having resigned my seat I of course have no right to be present, I presume liu meeting has reference to tboiil'egcd prop sal to lease a portion of the land included in the schedule of the Port Chalmers D >"k Trust Act of 188,1 It is # difficult to reconcile such proposal, if really intended with the plea upon which the trust has been practically knocked on the head; namely, that the land in question is required for railway purposes. It is, only of a piece with the whole action of the Government in relation to the dock trust; action which manifests not only an utter want of due regard for,but also the utmost indifference towards the interests of the port of Otago. Unfortunately the people of Dunedin like the Athenians of old who spent their time in telling or hearing some new thing, seem to be more taken with the Ministerial theories on the subjectof ism, than with the action or inaction of Ministers in matters where they are immediately and practically concerned. Otherwise, there can be no doubt that a graving dock would ere now have been in > course of construction at port, which would obviate the necessity of ships being sent elsewhere to be docked with all the detriment to Otago which such : necessity- involves. I think the Trust does well to resent the treatment it has received. My annoyance with the whole matter can be readily understood, when I pay it is my firm belief that were there a change of Government to-morrow the intention of the Legislature as regards the dock would be at once carried out. 1 am, etc., J. Macandeew. Messrs Fish and Wilson concurred in the views expressed by the writer, tlm last named speaker adding that were it not that he was.a member of the Trust by virtue of his position of Chairman of | the Chamber of Commerce, and could hot therefore very well resign, he would send in his resignation. A resolution was carried expressive of surprise at the action of the Government, and a telegram was ordered to be sent urging delay till a letter could be forwarded.