WAIMAKARIRI HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1735, 11 September 1879, Page 3

WAIMAKARIRI HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting of this Board was hold on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Wearing (chairman), Eckersley, Parnham, Moore, and Mathews. Mr Eckersly pointed out that a special meeting could only be called by the chairman, and the manner in which this meeting was called was singular. The chairman said he had not called the meeting. Mr Blackwell stated that as chairman pro tern. he at last meeting instructed the clerk to call this meeting to discuss the question of handing over the functions and property of the Board to the Borough Council. Mr Moore said it was understood that this meeting was to be specially held this evening for a particular object. Mr Mathews Btated such was his impression. The Chairman pointed out that according to the minuteß of the last meeting that meeting was adjourned till this evening. Mr Blackwell said the Bpecial meeting was decided upon in the motion of last meeting, and then that meeting adjourned till Monday evening. The clerk said it was decided that the meeting Bhould be called on receipt of the reply from the Council, whether it would aßßume the position of the Bourd or not. Mr Eckersley asked if tho proper notice had been given. The clerk had given notice on Friday. Mr Eckersley showed that the proper three days' notice of a special meeting had not been given, as Sunday, which was no day, had intervened. Tho chairman was not disposed to rule the meeting out of order, but desirod to see whatever action was taken legally done, and the Board would proceed to business. A lotter was read from the Kaiapoi Borough Council, agreeing to take over the functions and property of the Board if the same oould be done. Mr Parnham asked what the Eyreton members thought of the ohange. Mr Moore Baid they appeared in favor of it. Mr Eckersley considered that was not correct. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Threlkeld, regretting bis ab-

sence, and stating that he oould not approve of the proposal to dissolve the Board without one consideration. Mr Moore now moved —"That the Governor in Council be petitioned to abolish the Waimakiriri Harbor Board, and vest the functions and property of the Board in the Kaiapoi Borough Council, the members of the Waimakariri Harbor Board being of opinion that it is detrimental to the interests of the district to continue the same as at present constituted, it being utterly impossible to improve the navigation of the river, a work of great importance, through insufficiency of funds." The chairman asked if Mr Moore had given notice of motion. Mr Moore said he had not, as this was a meeting for a special purpose, and he had moved the motion in accordance therewith. The Chairman pointed out that under the regulations notice must be given of a motion, although the meeting was to consider the reply of the Council. He should have to rule the motion out of order. Mr Moore regretted the action of the chairman in delaying the matter in this way. Mr Eckersley considered the motion passed at last meeting was done in a meat unseemly manner, when the chairman was absent, and the majority of the Board were the members of the Council. Mr Moore pointed out that Mr Eckersley, if he had remained at last meeting, could by his own vote alone have vetoed the suspension of the standing orders which allowed the motion to be discuesed. The Chairman expressed his astonishment at the unseemly action of the Board, because he was absent, paasing the resolution it did. Mr Blackwell rose to a point of order. The chairman had no right to impute motives, and further he, as chairman of last meeting, had told Mr Eckersley that his vote would prevent the suspension of the standing orders, but that gentleman withdrew instead of opposing such suspension. Mr Eckersley replied he left the chamber believing there would not be a quorum left. The Chairman's opinion was that this was a question which ought to bo referred to the constituency. Mr Parnham was favorable to a consideration of the matter. Mr Moore moved the motion in order that something might be done to the river by the Council before the next grain season. Mr Mathews, in seconding Mr Moore's motion, said he considered the Board had vegetated long enough, and it was time that some one else should take the matter in hand before the trade had quite gone, and the dredge was entirely rotted to pieces. Mr Blackwell, as chairman at last meeting, said he had not voted on the questions, owing to the absence of the chairman. It was his opinion, however, that something should be done to improve the river at once, which the Board was not doing, as the banks in front of the wharves ought to be cleared and stepß taken, in view of the extension of the railway to the river bank. Mr Moore at this stage said he would give notice of his moLion, and move—" That a special meeting_ be held on Monday next, at 7.30 p.m." This was agreed to. The Board then adjourned.