Harbour Board, Minus One, Works Committee

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 8

Harbour Board, Minus One, Works Committee

The Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday retained a works committee consisting of the whole board except for one member, ensuring that the committee would meet in private. It did so against the suggestion of the new chairman (Mr L. G. Amos), who wanted a works committee of six members, with himself ex-officio, and after he had said that the public was not getting the information to which it was entitled.

The board agreed with Mr Amos’s suggestions for two new committees, one to deal with the provision of facilities for fishing vessels and small craft and the other a public relations committee.

When he proposed membership of committees, Mr Amos said he did not want to be chairman of every committee, as had been the practice in the past, but would like to be chairman of the staff committee and the new public relations committee. He was particularly keen to see the latter committee come into being. Through it, the board could do something to increase trade, get out and sell, and improve relations with the public. Of the other new committee, Mr Amos said it could do something to “spearhead” the provision of moorings for small craft. “I am sick and tired of carrying a white flag around Lyttelton and Charters Bay,” he said. “A decision must be made, whatever way it goes. The board cannot shilly-shally any longer.” The committee could also look into the future of the fishing industry and its needs. It was recognised everywhere that this was an industry which must grow, and Lyttelton should not be left behind.

Standing Orders

The board’s standing orders laid down that a committee should not consist of a majority of members, Mr Amos said. In the last few years the works committee had comprised all but one of the board members. As a result its proceedings were not open to the public and the press. If all members were on the committee, then, under the Public Bodies Meetings Act, the .press and public were entitled to attend.

At present when something came to the board from the works committee it was almost eut .and dried, he said. “I like debate, but there is no debate and we get no publicity.” Every board member was anxious to have a detailed knowledge of the work of the board and the harbour, and that was received through the works committee, Mr G. Manning said. However, he could not attend every meeting because of his mayoral duties, and would be happy to be omitted if it would help. In the previous board Mr W. F. McArthur had not been a member of the committee because he was busy on the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board, Mr A. A. Macfarlane said. “If the full board is a works committee it ceases to be a committee,” said Mr B. G. Barclay. “Under the present system a lot of information is denied to the public. The public of Christchurch and Canterbury feel that

things have been kept away from them. If the present system continues they will still be denied the information. They are entitled to a fuller report to the board, or else the committee meetings should be made open.” Some of the reports to the board from committees were far too brief, Mr J. Brand said. The problem could be overcome if the report of the works committee was given in full, if the press was present at works committee meetings then there would be some matters that 'the board members would not get to know.

It was always open for the committee to go into committee and exclude the public if the business was of a private and confidential nature, Mr Amos said. “I can’t see any harm if the public or the press are present or not,” said Mr W. P. Glue. “The resolution is

that the works committee consist <rf the board without Mr Manning,. I am happy either way.” Mr Barclay: If there were no exceptions it would still be a committee that would have to report to the board, but the press would be there. That might be a better solution.

After the board had set up the committee, minus Mr Manning, and approved other committees, Mr Brand said he would propose to the next meeting that the works committee should meet in the morning and that the board meeting be held immediately afterwards.

Representatives on outside organisations appointed by the board were:— Harbours Association: Messrs Amos, Macfariane, Brand, and J. E. Mannering. Canterbury Progress League: Mr H. E. Denton. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce: Mr F. I. Sutton. South Island Publicity Association: Mr Glue. Christchurch Regional Planning Authority: Mr F. W. Freeman. South Island Local Bodies Association: Mr G. E. Wright.