HARBOR BOARDS

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1530, 11 August 1905, Page 2

HARBOR BOARDS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last nighl

The Harbor Boards’ Association’s annual conference opened to-day. Nearly all tbe Boards of the oolony were represented. The Executive’s recommendation was adopted as follows : “ That no further action bo taken in the matter of incorporation ; that as there is no prospect of obtaining legislation for the establishing among Harbor Boards of a co-operative acoident and insurance soheme, the Harbor Boards should seriously consider tbe desirableness of becoming their own insurers." It was also deoided that in tho opinion of the conferenoo it is desirable that power be vested in the Harbor)Boards to prevent the establishment of,any system of drainage by whioh sewerage or solid matter is discharged from city or borough drains into the harbors or on to the foreshores under the control of a Harbor Board, whereby insanitary conditions and damage to such harbors are caused or may be oaused,

THE FRANCHISE QUESTION. '(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The Harbor Boards Conference passed a remit from Greymoulh that wharfage and harbor dues should be paid on goods belonging to the Government or Government officials or (in the alternative) on goods owned by the Government but intended for sale. It was agreed that land covered by tidal waters within the limits of harbors, and not otherwise owned or alionated, should be vested in harbor boards. The Thames delegates submitted the following remit, “that a determined stand be taken against the proposal to elect members of harbor boards by popular franchise.” I Mr Laurenaon said he thought it was hardly necessary to pass tho resolution. I Somo drastic change was necessary in tho I mothod of appointing members of harbor boards. Different systems operated in different district?. He had no doubt num-

berg of boards would not offer the slightest objection to election by popular franchise, and bo believed tbut a proportion of nineteen out of twenty sitting tnombers would bo returned under that principle. Mr Ferguson thought u determination should bo arrived at os to whether tho delegutes approved oi what ho aright term substitution of technical for popular knowledge of boards.

Mr Boauobamp considered the conference should entor a protest against any proposal to elect harbor boards on a popular franchise, and re-affirm the schedule of representation agreed on by last conference.

The Hon. James Carroll was of opinion that no resolution on tho subject was necessary. The Association had already dealt with tho subject, and there was no immediate occasion to reiterate that which had already boon put forward. After a number of delegates had ex-> pressed their disapproval of election by popular franchise, and a minority had , approved of tho principle, the discussion drifted into a general demand for a more uniform and satisfactory method of oppointment than the present system of nomination. I

Mr Beauchamp moved an emendment, embodying the previous suggestion. He said so far as Wellington Harbor Board was concerned the members nominated by the County Counoil had proved in many instances the very best members they bad. Finally Mr Alison altered the remit in the direction of protesting against any proposal to elect members of Harbor Boards on a popular franchise. This was agreed to on the voices. Mr Beauchamp said ho would not press his amendment.

The delegates attending the Conference were entertained at dipnerjo-night,