CHAIRMAN OF HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 825, 25 February 1903, Page 3

CHAIRMAN OF HARBOR BOARD.

MR TOWNLEY RE-ELECTED,

The election of Chairman was the first business taken at the annual meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday. Captain Tucker proposed the re-election of Mr Townley. He did not think any member would devote so much attention to the work as did that gentleman. No matter how they differed in opinion—and on some matters they widely differed — there was no member in whom they would have more confidence than in Mr Townley, for however they differed they recognised that he acted conscientiously and sincerely according to the best of his lights for the good of the ratepayers. He differed from Mr Townley in this respect -—he only hoped he himself would prove to be wrong—that their Chairman was too Utopian ; when he spoke of Glasgow on tho Clyde ho (Captain Tucker) was inclined to smile, but hoped that posterity would prove the Cbuirman to be tho wise man. 11 Differ us 1 do from him,'’ said Captain Tucker, “ I recognise to tho full his sincerity—(Mr Whinray : Hear, hear) —and his close attention to business, never neglecting anything suggested to him for the advancement of tiie port and district. Therefore i think we can do no better than request Mr Townley to do us tho favor of continuing as Chairman.” Mr Hepburn : I have great pleasure in seconding tho motion ; I need add nothing to what Captain Tucker has said, but I am sure we all know we could not get another gentleman in the whole of the borough—or out of it —who will devoto as much time and attention to harbor matters as tho present Chairman does, Mr Whinray: Hear,hear. The Chairman: Any other nomination ?

Captain Tucker : You can declare your self elected.

Tho motion being carried, Mr Townloy returned thanks. Although they might differ in opinion all wero imbued with tho desiro to do their best in the interests of tho harbor and tho place generally. In the past year they had not done as much as they would havo liked, but some substantial work had been done, and he hoped much bettor work would bo done in the present year. Ho then wont into the question of finances, showing that while tho interest accruing had decreased their finances kept up well. Whilo thoy were only getting 3,} per cent, for their money from the Public Trusteo tho Borough Council would be glad of ,£20,000 at 4 per cent., or ±'Booo at 5 per cent., with tho best of security to offer, and ho thought tho people of the place should have any such benefit. Besides its overdraft the Council only owed ±OOOO. It would enable the Borough to make a start with waterworks, which woro of great concern to tho Board. Concluding, ho said he would continuo to strive to do his best as chairman. The election could only be considered temporary, as ho would shortly havo to face the electors again,

What moans this from tho Auckland Herald : “ We decline to consider either the Premier or the Minister for Railways as representatives of the North Island. Only part of the electorate which Mr Carroll represents is in tho Auckland provincial district, and that gentleman and Mr McGowan havo not shown any disposition to champion the rights or interests or reputation of tho Auckland district.”

Scarcely any of the States of the Commonwealth but is ringing with tho cry of tho unemployed; and in respect to tho colony, which is held up as an oxamplo of prosperity, wo maintain a small army of co-oporatives for whom tho State feels bound to provide work.—Grey River Argus. Tho New Zealand papers which, in order to scoro oil Mr Scddon, are bolittling and misrepresenting tho agitation in Fiji, may havo to oat their words when once Mr Borkeley and others of tho 11 Now Zoaland party ” in Fiji succoed in getting their complaints investigated by tho Colonial Office. Meanwhilo the Premier may very well treat their “ heckling ” with the contempt such miserable party-political “ nagging ” deserves.— Marlborough Express.

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