I should act: & inform Mr work that the S. of S. will be happy to meet his wishes if a fitting opportunity occurs.
Murle
(Am Wood has had the maximum salary for his post increased from $2760 to $3000, P.C.M. 26/11/96.
Since writing the above minute I have obtained from the Registry the annexed papers from which I further see that Mr Wood's case has been already considered. Whether he read the agreement with the C. Agents or not, he appears to have been told that his salary would be considerably more in pounds sterling than it has proved to be. I think he was hardly treated fairly to this extent. I suppose it is not likely that transferring him will occur.
With regard to Wood's complaints I should refer you to what was said in the latter part of our Despatch of 1874 294, adding that in view of the character of Wood's testimonials, his name will be noted & his claims considered should a suitable opportunity occur for transferring him.
TCM `26/11/96
Milind Signed a three-year agreement with an annual salary of $2400. He could tell for himself by looking at the daily papers in the list that the rate of exchange was and that $2400 were equivalent to £482 9s 9d in sterling.
Since he went to the colony, his post has been amalgamated with another and his pay raised to $3000, & he has also received a compensation allowance, though it still does not convert to more than £375. Whereas M. Chadwick seems to have led him to expect at least £400. He has been put on a permanent footing with privileges of pension and at the same time is rightly made to subscribe to the Widows & Orphans pension fund.
He complains that he was not told that there was a Cadet service & was led to expect a rise as about anything M. Chadwick apparently was about incautious & misleading in his statement as a man could be; and for a good man of business Mr Wood seems to have been extraordinarily heedful of verbal statements and extraordinarily heedless & indifferent to procuring verified information.
I think he has a little ground of complaint. He may well be noted for promotion in his own line.
M William
Railway
Nov