AN UNHAPPY BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2755, 21 January 1882, Page 2

AN UNHAPPY BOARD.

At a meeting of the Otago Harbor Board on Thursday Mr Fish moved a series of resolutions respecting the action of the Government in closing the Jetty street railway crossing in laying out a new railway station, and in moving them ho gave a review of tho steps

taken by the Board in the matter, and commented severely on the action of Mr Blair in dealing with it in : his official capacity. The Chairman, Mr Ramsay, thought the Government bad shown a desire to help the Board in every way. He gave a somewhat different version of Mr Blair’s behaviour to that given by Mr Fish.

Mr Fish demurred entirely to the remarks of the Chairman. ’>■ He did not think the Government had taken the proper course to obtain the wish of the public in the matter. He said that Mr Blackett’s opinions as a professional man might have been considerably modified hy an interview with commercial men. The'Chairman had with insidious glibness extolled the virtues of the Government, for he had a failing of buttonhol ing great men. What was the use of pointing out the uprightness of the men who had made these arrangements? The Board knew they were all honorable men. They did hot want toadyism there—at least be did not; he did not believe in it. He asserted positively his belief that without any detriment to any interest at all, Jetty street could be kept open at its level. Mr Fish then went on to refer to the position of a goods-shed, whereupon - Mr Paterson rose to a point of order, on the ground that Mr Fish was touching upon new matter. . The Chairman ruled Mr Fish out of order.

Mr Fish did not see how he could, be out of order. He could refer to any point having reference to the general subject under discussion, and he would do as he thought fit. 1 The Chairman : I must conduct a meeting here, and L will not allovtf a member of the Roard to say he will do as he thinks fit. That is a very improper remark to make. I rule that Mr Fish can now only reply.-to the speeches which have been made., Mr Fish asserted that he was as well acquainted with the rules of debate as the Chairman, and again proceeded to touch upon the same point as before. Mr Paterson : I again rise to a point of order. '

The Chairman : I shall have to leave the chair if I am not supported in P>y ruling. ■ , Mr Larnach said he would always support the ehair, but that he thought Mr Fish could hardly be considered out of order, as the matter he referred to was in connection with the matter under discussion.

Mr Fish was then allowed to proceed. In closing bis remarks, he referred to the unnecessary punctiliousness of the Chairman, and complained of Mr Bam say acting on several occasions in matters of importance without consulting the Board. Mr Ramsey, he said, seemed to think he had a perfect right to commit the Board to anything, and to forget that his position was a mere accidental one.

The Chairman :I have nothing more to say beyond this : Mr Fish has tried; to make, himself as personal as possible, and has behaved in a manner very rude and personal to myself as Chairman. Beyond this I have nothing to say. •Mr Fish: I think, Mr Chairman,-that your remarks are equally impertinent. You have no right to make these remarks.

The Chairman:. ! will -put the motions.

The motions were carried unanimously, with the exception of the first (whiah was opposed by Messrs Patton and Burt) and the last (to which Mr Paterson dissented)., Mr‘ Burt'then rose to move a proposition that the Government should be asked to take into consideration the removal of the proposed shunting-line to some other position. Mr Fish objected to such a motion being put, on the ground that notice of it should have been given; The Chairman seemed disposed to allow the motion to' bo moved. " • Mr Larnach here intimated that he had an appointment, and that he must leave. -- ~ . , • ■ Mr Mills also rose to leave, saying he had to catch a train.

Mr Fisli was about to follow the example of Messrs Larnach and Mills, wood ■ ■ ’ i;; ■;;

The Chairman drew his attention to the fact that, there would not be a quorum of members if be did not re-, main. 1

Mr Fish: That [is the object of my leaving, ' Mr Burt: You might have the courtesy to hear my motion anyhow, It is—i* That while the Government are considering the opening up of "Jetty street,- they.should ; also consider the desirability of removing the goods-shed and shunting ground. to , some other position. . . < Mr Fish thereupon left the boardroom. Mr Bridgman then rose from his seat. ■

: The Chairman: Are you off too Mr Bridgman ? Mr Bridgman : Yes,Tam off. /

/ The Chairman: Then thO\meeting lapses. r . ’ , :