NEW APPOINTMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 183, 17 May 1939, Page 4

NEW APPOINTMENTS

GISBORNE LAND BOARD MR. J. W. GORJ>ON A NEW MEMBER Three, new members will act with the Gisborne Land Board for the future, in place of Messrs. A. G. Nolan, R. H. Wicksteed and J. H. Reid, the last-mentioned two of whom have been members of the board since its inception in 1923. Apart from the commissioner of. Crown lands, Mr. H. L. BrimroSe, the only member of the old board who majt continue his connection with it is -Mr. G. O. Donovan, Motu, who is eligible for re-election as the representative of the Crown tenants.

The new members are to be Mr. 1\ J. O’Kane, Erasertown, Mr. Ivan F. Watt, Arero, and Mr. J. W. Gordon, Opotiki. Mr. O’Kane took his seat al| the board table for the. 1 first time yesterday, in place of Mr. A. G. Nolan, and the other new members will sit as from next month. Before commencing the bit stress, at Friday’s meeting, occasion was taken by Air. L. Primrose to bid farewell to Messrs. Wicksteed and Reid.' He recalled that both had been members from the date of the board’s constitution, and that Messrs. Nolan and Donovan had taken their seats shortly afterwards. Harmonious Working The work of the hoard always had been harmonious, Mr. Primrose stated, and in good times and) bad the members had shown a sustained interest in the administration of Crown lands, discharging their duties with a clear comprehension of the difficulties which had afflicted the farming community during the greater part of tht board’s term. The department. recognised that it had been extremely well served by the retiring members and l by the whole of the board, in that in all. matters dealt with the members had endeavoured to bo fair to the Crown and its tenants alike. The ccinmissionei? also expressed a welcome to the new member at the board, table, Mr. O’Kane, who in acknowledging this welcome stated that t-lio tenants had realised the heavy responsibilty carried by the beard. They might have differed from the board’s decisions at times, but they had appreciated throughout that the board was actuated by a sense of fairness. Messrs. Reid and Wicksteed „ expressed regret at severing their connection with the beard, and both spoke of the readiness of the commissioner and his staff to supply all the information required for the guidance of their decisions. Air. G. O. Donova.n also spoke on the theme raised by his colleagues, and expressed his thanks to the commissioner and his staff.