M Birch in his despatch of the
14 July 1866 said that the
app was one that could hardly have been suggested by anyone
conversant with the Colony—& that the duties,
if any, should be performed by
the Chief Revenue Officer. And with
reference to that
Governor Seymour was authorized to make any
necessary reductions.
Gov Seymour now states that
M Cooper has resigned his
app as Harbour Master; of course, tho' he does not say so,
the Office being abolished.
If
M Cooper's office had been abolished he still being the
holder of it, he would have been entitled to a months Pay
for
each year he had held it, or if he had completed 10 years to a
Pension fee during unemployment.
M Seymour has given him 18 months Pay in the place of 9—or
one might say 10.
Shall the T be recommended under the circumstances to
sanction the gratuity of £600?
To
M Meade to see with reference to any personal
application
M Cooper may make.
As
M Cooper was within 2 months of completing 10 years of
Service (wh. wd. have given him a claim
to a pension) I dare say
the grant of £600 is an economical one for this Embarrassed Colony.
It will also serve to stop his claim to re-appointment in some
other Colony, if he w like one.