EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10063, 3 February 1909, Page 1

EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

This affairs of the Oamaru Harbor Board are in a critically and oajiaktj's chaotically transition gateway. state. The Court is called upon to decide whether the poll which was taken on the £50,000 loan proposal _ was legal or not. The scheme which was involved in that poll, whatever the decision of the Court and the ratepayers, appears to he surpassed in acceptableness by that which Mr W. H. Paterson suggests, but, as the latter has not been subjected to an authoritative expert examination, the syndicate which was relied upon to take it up has, we are credibly informed, resolved not to have anything to do with it. For the same reason the Board cannot undertake the responsibilities which would' be involved in its adoption, and there is seemingly no other scheme which the Board "could adopt with any degree of safety. Whilst consumed with zeal to do their duty, the administrators of our harbor are, by circumstances over which they have, no control, driven into a corner. But only temporarily. As Judge Williams implied a few days ago, during the hearing of the case against the Board, the chief business is to keep the portin Lin efficient condition, and there can be no interference with the Board's endeavors to perform that- duty. The Board's course is. therefore, clear. Under the existing state of affairs, the Harbormaster grows hot and cold by turns as he brings in and takes out the large steamers which visit the port. Nothing but- the greatest possible care prevents the occurrence of trouble which would be disastrous to the port, and then we should all suffer—both town and country would incur infinite loss. The proper course is lo seek to procure an authoritative opinion on Mr Paterson's proposal. Tf Mr Blair Mason will not oblige the Board by serving it in this matter, then some other competent marine engineer should be consulted without- delay. Perhaps -Ml' Fergusson, the late engineer of the Wellington Harbor Board, or the present engineer of that body, could be induced to help the Oamaru Harbor Board out of its difficulty. There is nothing to terrify the Board into a state of paralysis. The prospect is hopeful. There is every probability that the opportune intervention of Mr Paterson has opened the way to a successful and economical fulfilment of the Board's highest aim—the promotion of the safety and efficiency of the port. But even the Board itself is suffering decomposition and transformation. Its elements are undergoing a change which may evolve something startling—one can never tell. At all events, Messrs Marshall, Monson, and Brownlee have passed in their checks as Boardmen, and there is a fine list of aspirants from which to choose to fill the several vacancies. It is not necessary that we should enlarge upon the loss which the Board and the district will suffer through the withdrawal of the three ' gentlemen mentioned from its councils. We have not, however, forgotten that Mr Marshall was a champion for the harbor's substantial advancement, and we may find consolation in contemplating that, with such an array of successful and active business men of proved public spirit offering themselves for election the auguries are hopeful. As for Mr Edward Lane, who submits himself for re-election, he has won his spurs by an intelligent, a courageous and a painstaking conception of his duties as one of the guardians in charge of the gateway of our prosperity. Upon the selection of the members of the Board will depend the wise administration of the port's affairs. The public have had some experience of the candidates; they know what they themselves desire—it is nothing more nor less than an effective harbor—and they have some idea as to the men who can be depended upon to industriously and enthusiastically and loyally promote such a consummation to the best of their ability. Though it is regrettable that Mr Marshall's services will be lost to the Board, it is not only right to the settlers, but advantageous to the Board and the district, that the country should be represented by local residents. The nomination and election of Mr F. J. White will, therefore, be approved.