HARBOUR BOARD SEAT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2479, 12 September 1922, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD SEAT

BOROUGH COUNCIL APPOINTS AIR \Y. SIGNAL. By the death of Mr W. Buck a vacancy was created on the Foxton Harbour Board. At last month’s Council meeting Cr. Martin moved and Cr. Rand seconded that Cr. Whibley be appointed to the vacancy. As no official intimation had been received from the Board, the Council decided to hold over the appointment until last night’s meeting of the Council, when a letter was received from the Board intimating the vacancy and informing the Council that it had the Board’s sanction, provded the Council have the authority, to appoint some qualified person to represent the borough. A telegram was also read from the Council’s legal adviser informing the Council that they had the power to appoint a member to fill the vacancy on the Board. Cr. Martin moved, seconded by Cr. Rand that Air Whibley be appointed to fill the vacancy. In speaking to the motion, Cr. Martin said that they couldn’t do better than appoint Cr. Whibley to the position. The Haibour Board was inclined to go dormant unless some interest was taken in it. At present there was not sufficient interest taken in it. At the last meeting there was hardly a quorum present. It was time energetic members were appointed and the Council should take this opportunity of putting at least, one energetic member on to let the people see that they took an interest in the port. The port was the life of Foxton but had been neglected and left to go “anyhow.” A boat came in now and again. One had only to look at the past of the port to see how it bad gone back. Cr. Whibley was a man who knew the affairs of the Board from A to Z. He had acted in the capacity of secretary to the Board for. 18 months and if he was appointed there would be at least two live member- on the Board, the Mayor and the proposed candidate. He had great pleasure in moving that Cr. Whibley be appointed.

The Mayor moved, seconded by Cr. Coley, that .Mr W. Signal be appointed to the position. In doing so, the Mayor said that there was no doubt that Cr. Whibley knew the affairs of the Board, but .Mr Signal was a practical man and there was no man better able to guide the Board than he. Cr. Whibley said he was glad of the opportunity to correct a few mi- a,-prehension.-, going about the town. After the last Council meetbig a -liitemcnr had been made that be showed very little respect for the late Mr Bock in foisting himself to the position made vacant by his death. There was no more hypocritical statement ever made than that. It wa- purely of a political nature. The oarty politically opposed to him had been concerned in the mailer. No person with any respect for the late Mr Bock would sanction Mr-Signal being elected. Mi Bock had always been absolutely opposed to him. Mr Signal was interested in Levin and Co.’s. Tf Mr Signal had been keen to go on the Board why didn’t he attempt the position when Mr Hennessy died. He has had ample opportunity since 1008 hut had made no attempt to do anything. An attempt certainly was made to push him on when Mr Hennessy died about live years ago when Air Bock strongly opposed his appointment. His (speaker's) name was in for the position‘but lie withdrew it in order that Air Bock should be elected unopposed. , Air Bock and he. had been personal friends. When Air Bock was ill lie was one of the few men Air Bock hud asked to see. It would be the late Air Bock’s urgent wish that of any candidate appointed to the Board, one opposing Air Signal be elected. At the last Council meeting they passed a motion eulogising Air Bock and saying what a great debt they owed him and now they proposed to do a thing that he was opposed to. Personally he was only standing to further the interests of the port. A fortnight before .Mr Bock’s death he had been in conversation with him on matters connected with the Board and Air Bock bad told him that he was “fed up” with the Board. Since 1908 there had been only one meeting fully attended. Too much had been put on Air Bock. He really was the Harbour Board. Since his death things have got worse. There was hardly a quorum at the last meeting. He had attended more Harbour Board meetings than any member in the capacity of reporter and secretary. He had not missed 12 meetings. .He was afraid that unless some energy was displayed the good work done by Mr Hennessy and Air Bock would go to tlie winds and the ratepayers would have to pav the rate for the loan. In fairness to Air Bock they should not appoint a man he was so absolutely opposed to. He was quite satisfied to leave the position to a vote of the people.

Cr. Martin said that although they had been slated for taking action so quickly at last meeting the Harbour Board next da 1 ’ recommended that the position be filled. He had found a “clique” was operating- to appoint Mr Signal to the position. Mr Signal was the most re-actionary man they could possibly get. Cr. Thompson said that most of the talk was foreign to him. He had heard nothing of the statement alleged to have been made. Cr. A\ hibley: I’ll take your word for that. I don’t think you were one of the party. Cr. Thompson: I’ll support Mr Signal’s appointment though. He’s good man. All this street tittle

tattle gets on my nerves. Cr. Ross said he could not think the matter was cut and dried. He had been asked to stand and if he had Air Signal certainly would not, „ He would support Air Signal cause he was a man with a practical knowledge and the Board has not got a man with that knowledge amongst its members. He was of the opinion that Air Signal could devote more time to the Board than Air JVliibley. Cr. Smith said that he could not think for one moment that Air Signal would allow his interest in Levin and Co.’s to stand in the way of progress of the port. In his opinion he would foster shipping and do all in his power to encourage it. His qualifications were such that he should be appointed. Cr. Rand said that he had seen hottts with cargoes for Foxton sent on to Wanganui time and time again .by Levin and Co. ”*The appointment of Air Signal was then carried, Crs. Bryant, Ross, x Smith, Thompson, Coley, and the Mayor voting for and Crs. Rand, Martin and Whibley against. Cr. Whibley: “Reform Party well t ogether!” Another Councillor: “The worst thing you could have done for the port.”