WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2460, 13 May 1915, Page 3

WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD

NEW CHAIRMAN MR. C. E; DANIELL APPOINTED Tlio first statutory meeting of tho Wellington Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, the business before tho. meeting being, the election of the chairman. There were present: Captain Watson, Messrs. R. Fletcher, C. W. Jones, H. L. Nathan. J..G. Harkness, 11. A. Wright, A. H. Hindmarsh, J. W. M'Ewau, J. G. Cobbe, W. Cable, 11. E. Sinclair, A. M'Farlane, C. B. Daniell, and M. Cohen. Mr. R. Fletcher, who presided'at the opening of the meeting, congratulated those old members who had been returned, and those now members elected. Mr. Fletcher called for nominations for the position of chairman.' Captain Watson proposed, and Mr. A. H. 11ijidinarsh seconded, the nomination of Mr. C. W. Jones. Mr. Hindmarsh at the same time thought that the election should take place by ballot, instead of open vote, a3 was the custom. Mr. R. A. Wright proposed, and Mr. Wm. Cable seconded, the nomination of Mr. J. (I. irai'knosß. Mr. Wright spoke of Jlr. HarkneSs's ability to hold the position. Mr. J. W. M'Ewan moved the nomination of Mr. C. E. Daniell, and said that in,doing so he was acting conI sistently with his attitude of twelve months ago, when he proposed Mr. Fletcher. He believed the chairmanship should be held by a. member directly representing tho poople, arid not by any class representative whatever. Mr. M'Farlane seconded the nomination. The voting t|ien took place as follows:— For Mr. Harkriess—Messrs. . Cable, Harkness, Nathan, Wright, and Sinclair. For Mr. Daniell—Messrs. Cobbe,Cohen, Daniell, M'Ewan, and-M'Far-lane. For Mr. Jones —Messrs. Fletcher, Bindmarsh, Jones, and Captain Watson. .

This gave an equality of votes for Messrs. Harkncss and Daniell, and the chairman announced that the custom was to draw by lot between the candidates polling an equal number of votes. Mr. Cobbe questioned the advisability of deciding by lot as to who should be chairman.' . ' Mr. Fletcher pointed out that it was the course provided by the statutes. . Finally- it was decidud to hold a further ballot,' the two highest candidates agreeing to this course. Mr. Jones said that' he admitted to disappointment at the . little support ha had received, but he agreed with what Mr. M'Ewan had said, that a member not representing ■, one class would get more support. Had he known earlier that Mr. Daniell was to stand he would not have opposed him. The voting for Messrs. Daniell and Harkness was:—. For Mr. Daniell—Messrs. Cobbe, Cohen,' Daniell, Fletcher, Hindmarsh, Jones, M'Ewan, M'Farlane, and Captain Watson. For Mr. Harkness —Messrs. Cable, Harkness, Nathan 1 , Sinclair, and Wright. The chairman announced the election of Mr. Daniell by 9 votes to 5. Mr. Fletcher congratulated Mr. Daniell on being appointod, and invited him to the chair. 1 1 ■' Mr. Daniell said, that he had not sought the office, in fact had not intended to stand till representations were made-to him. As he was appointed he would endeavour to do his duty. It was purely a business transaction, and he would act for the board. He was proud to be a New Zealander, and he hoped that at the end of the year the members would not regret having appointed him to the chairmanship. Mr. Harkness congratulated Mr. Daniell on his election, and said he had no doubt he would bring that integrity and honesty to the new position that had characterised him in the past. He would give Mr. Daniell loyal and hearty support while on the board. Mr. Fletcher said he desired 'heartily to offer his congratulations to Mr. Daniell. It was a position of trust to which he had been appointed, and the more successfully the business was conducted, the better it would be for the province. As far as he was. concorned Mr. Daniell would have hearty support during the. coming year. The oountry representatives would be especially pleased at the honour done to Mr. Daniell. Mr. Cohen also congratulated Mr. Daniell, and said that he looked on it that the members had paid an honour to the country districts.

Mr. Wright, as one of those who did not vote for Mr. Daniell, said that he had no idea that Mr. Daniell was going to stand. Probably he, like others, had been pledged with their votes. He congratulated him on his election, and said that he would give him his heartiest support. . , Mr. M'Ewan said that when he left Petone he had little idea that he was going to propose Mr. Daniell, but he ■thought he was the best man for the position, and decided to propose him. Mr. M'Farlane endorsed these remarks..

Mr. Cobbe said, that the board was in a fortunate position to have three men so ably'fitted to fill the office proposed for the seat. A country man at this juncture was the right man to have in the chair. They had troublous times ahead of them, and he thought the country man would be in the best position to bring a detached mind to boar on the matters before the board. Mr. Cable added his congratulations, and hoped Mr. Daniell would have a happy year. The election of committees then took place as follows:— Wharves, and Accounts.—Messrs. Wright, Hindinarßh, Cable, M'Ewan, Watson, Nathan,'. Sinclair, Jones, Fletcher, Harkness, Cohen (Manawatu), Daniell (Wairarapa). Sinking Fund and Special Reserve Fund Committee.—Messrs. Daniell, Cable, Nathan, Sinclair, Fletcher. Harlc■ness, Jones, Wright, Watson. Legislative.—Messrs.' Daniell, Cable, Fletcher, Harkness, Hindmarsh, Jones, Watson, Wright. Ways and Means. —Messrs. Daniell, Flotchei-, Harkness, Hindmarsh.