THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4225, 11 September 1876, Page 3

THE HARBOR BOARD.

At a special meeting of the Board this afternoon, tb consider the recommendation of Mr Simpson that the advioe of Mr Blaokett upon his scheme of harbor improvement should be taken, there were i resent—the Deputy-Superintendent (in the diair), Messrs M’Kinnon, Beeves, Tewsley, Ritchie, and Davie.

There was some preliminary discussion as to whether the previous letter of Mr Simpson, in which he accnsed certain members of the Board of making unfair and unjustifiable attacks on him should not be firs' taken into consideration, and ultimately it was decided both should be considered, and the discussion be taken in public. Mr Reeves thereupon n ved—“ That the suggestion contained in Mr Simpson's letter of sth inst. be adopted by the Board, and with a view to placing the whole plans and views of the Engineer fairly and satisfactorily before Mr Blackett, that Mr Simpson do proceed to Wellington for that purpose.” Mr Ritchie contended that it was irregular that the Engineer's letter of August 10 should exist upon the Board’s records without anything being said about it. That letter should be withdrawn. Mr Tewsley argued that this letter, should be dealt with first. Perhaps the strong feeling which had dictated it bad been softened down with time; and for himself, he disavowed any personal feeling towards Mr Simpson. But certain members of the Board stood challenged by an of the Board, which he did not consider was a right position for the Board to occupy, and it should be rectified before they proceeded further. The motion might superficially solve it, bat it would not clear up the difficulty. At. this stage Mr Tewsley submitted to the perusal of some of the members a proposed amendment, to which Mr Davie desired to make the following addition, which Messrs Ritchie and Tewsley. while disclaiming any intention at any time of impugning the Engineer’s professional ability, said they could not see their way to accept : —" And at Die same that the Board expresses its desire to have the letters withdrawn, the members of the Board referred to in Mr Simpson’s letter desire to express that they had no intention in anything they said to impugn the professional imputation of Mr Simpson.” After c. lengthened pause, the Ghai man proceeded to put the motion, when Mr Tewsley said: It is not discussed yet. That carrying the thing by storm. The Chairman : I waited long enough for an amendment, bat none was proposed. It is like niaidaga fool of the thing. Mr Tewsley : I am not inclined to be talked to like that by Mr Chairman or anybody else. I have ha 1 too much strong language from the Chairman already. He is not going to mafce » fool of me. !| • Chairman : Yon will not move an amendment and not allow the motion to be put. I want to get over the difficulty and I am not going to sit here nil day doing nothing. Mr Tewsley .- Ton can go. The Chairman : I do not mean to go. Mr Tewsley : Nor I, nor do I mean to submit to strong language from yon. The Chairman : If business is not proceeded with I shall leave the chair.

Mr Tewsley I'nen I propose an amendment.— “ That before proceeding with the letter of the sth inst., the two previous letters be returned to the Engineer, with the instruction that, seeing the members of Die Board have an undoubted right to express t> eir opinions, he be requested to withdraw the same.”

The amendment was seconded by Mr Ritchie in a long speech, in the course of which he gave reasons for the want of confidence he had in the Engineer. The other speaker? were Messrs Reeves, Davie, M’Kinnon, and Turnbull, but we have not room in this issne for even a summary of their remarks. For the amendment Messrs Tewsley and Ritchie voted, and the other members against it; so that it was lost.

Mr Davie then put as a. substantive motion the amendment he had moved, which he subsequently withdrew.

Messrs Tewsley and Ritchie pointed out that by adopting Mr Reeves's motion a vote of censure had been passed upon themselves. The Board then adjourned.