The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1909.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10066, 6 February 1909, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1909.

In the present chaotic condition of the Harbor Board's af3fEW- habbor fairs the question of hoard meiiuers. representation, is one of the utmost importance. It is absolutely imperative that men of business capacity and, as far as possible, practical expert knowledge should be retained in the cause of the ratepayers. The three retiring members of the Board, tired of the small success which meets their efforts, or disgusted with the personal recrimination which has been permitted to obtrude itself into the Board's affairs, have decided to stand out of the contest, and the greatest hope of effecting a satisfactory solution of the problem is that their places shall be filled by energetic, thoroughly responsible, practical men, who are convinced that the affairs of the harbor are of primary importance to Oamaru. Amongst the half-dozen who are offering their services to the district are several gentlemen whose experience eminently equips them for membership of the Board. -Mr Lane has proved himself one of the Board's most enthusiastic members, and is among the few who have attempted to make themselves conversant with the working of not only the Progress, butof other dredges througout the colony. He has brought to bear upon the periodical discussions of the Board a great deal of practical knowledge which has been absorbed through a thorough study of the subject. Mr J. M. Brown has occupied all the important positions the town has to offer, and has been one of our most successful civic administrators. His remarks on the various subjects which come up for discussion are always characterised by wisdom and foresight which are the result of serious thought. Mr AY. H. Paterson is comparatively new to the town of Oamaru, but he has. a record which must commend him to the ratepayers as one who will prove an invaluable member of the Harbor Board. Mr Paterson, was one of those who intrcd-.i'jed dredging into South Otago eleven years ago, and since that time he has acted as engineer and dredgemaster of various dredges besides taking part in putting- together the dredges. _ He therefore knows everything there is about a dredge, and is qualified to speak with authority upon a subject which is an allabsorbing topic of discussion at the Board's meetings at the present time. .Owing to an accident Mr Paterson was compelled to relinquish active dredging, but this, although' unfortunate for himself, will perhaps prove an. advantage to Oamaru, where practical men are so urgently required. As we understand it, Mr Paterson lnis no desire to foist his dredging scheme upon the Board, but is desirous that the troubles the harbor should be "brought to an eiid if possible. He, therefore, has. made it plain that if . any more feasible scheme can be adduced he. will be quite willing to support it. We feel that Mr Paterson has not purpose of his own. to serve in bringing forward his proposels for the dredging of the harbor. As a matter of fact, it was likely to force upon him duties which he would much rather avoid, and his public-spirited action is, therefore, all the more commendable. We lelieve that in the interests of the Bo,i-d's affairs these three gentlemen should /be chosen, and we hope that on Monday the ratepayers will realise the full extent of their responsibility, and return those who are best qualified to improve the existing unsatisfactory state of affairs.