HARBOR LOAN DELEGATES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 127, 26 June 1909, Page 6

HARBOR LOAN DELEGATES

PUBLIC BANQUET TO BE TENDERED A public meeting was held yesterday afternoon to discuss the proposal ol tile ilayor, Air. u. uiseli, tltat a public: welcome be tendered to Messrs. J. B. Connett, chairman oi the New Plymoutn Harbor Board, and Aewton King, tue treasurer of the Board, upon their return rroni London, wnere they acted as the Boards ageuts m raising the loan oi £275,000. There was a good attendance, comprising the foilowiug:'His Worship the Mayor (presiding), Messrs. H. Okey, .U.P., x. Avery, A. a .Arnold, W. Ajuhuiy, il. Bedford, V. Carter, R. Cock, *. P. Corkill, J. Carey, ii. H. Davy, H. Dehipsey, E. Loejcrill, W. liiimpliries.A. Mi-Hardy, T. C. List, \V. .J. Pcun, J. Patoa, C. S. RenneU, T. C. Sehuackenberg, A. M. Stumhsh, H. Steeds, E. Snowball, S. Teed, E. P. Webster, IC Webster, J. E. Wilson, and P. White. .

The chairman explained the object of the meeting, lie referred to Messrs. .Oonnett and King as men to whom tire ratepayers of Taranaki were greatly indebted for their self-sacrifice in devoting so much time to the work of the settlers. They had done a lot of good work, and it was fitting that they should be accorded a welcome. Knowing them both very well, he felt sure that they would not like any public demonstration, and he suggested that the welcome should take the form of a dinner. Mr. T. S. Weston moved that a luncheon be held, urging that however enjoyable a function, a well-managed dinner might be, the luncheon was the] most convenient, and would be attended, he thought, by a larger number of settlers from outside New Plymouth. He knew how desirable it was that there should be large numbers present in welcoming public men. Mr. F. P. Corkill seconded, on the grounds that all the arrangements should be made to secure the attendance of the farmers. A luncheon was more free and easy, too, and it would be possible for those living at a distance to reach home conveniently the same afternoon. Mr. H. Okey, M.P., did not quite agree that the luncheon project would meet) the case, if they expected to get any] information from the guests. He knew that there, was generally a Jot of talking at these things, and it was not wise to waste so much time in the middle of the day. Th e function, he thought, would be very largely attended, not only in recognition of Messrs. Connett and King's visit to England, but also on account of the vast amount of work that they lad done in securing the passing of the Empowering Act. He was quite sure that there would be a big gathering of settlers, for " the cows were dry now, and the farmers would like an evening out." Mr. Penn suported the argument that there would not be time at ijhe luncheon to have the speeches that they hoped to hear from the 'returning delegates. Mr. J. Carey, of Okato, was quite satisfied that the farmers'would prefer a dinner and that they would " give a good welcome to good men."

The chairman said tile tiouWc about a lunch was that it was a hurried aft tir for an hour or so, everyone being anxious to get back to business. He moved an amendment in fa»oj of a dinner. Mr. Carey was convinced the farmers would prefer a dinner. Mr. T. 8. Weston said the meeting seemed to favor the dinner, so he would ask permission to withdraw the motion. He had been actuated by the desire to have a function -which would be largely attended by farmers, and now he saw that there was every possibility of a big gathering of th e country .people at night he had no desire to press the motion. The motion was withdrawn.

Mr. Okey suggested that the banquet should not he held prior to the Harbor Board meeting, for the delegates could hardly be expected to give any information prior to reporting to the Board, to which they were responsible. •' Mr. E. .Dockrill said that as a matter, of course the delegates would report to the Board first.

One or two speakers thought there was nothing in' the suggestion. Mr. Teed suggested that the dinner be held on the night of the next Hoard meeting, and that all the members he invited.

Mr. Cock agreed, and remarked that the delegates would probably like a fewdays free to find how the. land lay, " to hear all about the row in the'newspapers," and so on, before speaking to the ratepayers. The whole of the Board would, of course, he invited to the dinner, and publicly thanked for their successful efforts towards harbor development. He knew that this sort of thing would be not much in Mr. King's line. Mr. Cock assured the meeting that Messrs. King and Connett had put themselves to considerable personal inconvenience in this loan matter, and he felt sure .that it had cost Mr. King hundreds of pound by absence from his place of business. He knew from private correspondence that up till May 10th he had been so busy with harbor matters mat he had not been able to touch some private business of his own, anil he was afraid he would have to leave England without getting a chance to attend to it.

Mr. Penn said that as a matter of course the delegates' tongues were tied until after the meeting of the Board. Mr. Teed moved that the banquet be held on the night of the July meeting of the Board, and that the members of the Board he invited as the guests of the committee.

Tnis was carried without dissent. Upon the motion of Messrs. Penn and Cock, those present were formed a committee, - with nowcr to add." Mr. E. P.- Webster was elected .secretary to the committee, and the Mayor was appointed chairman.

An informal discussion took- place concerning the details, principally in regard to the lall. A proposal to hold the banquet in the Brougham Street hall was strongly opposed bv Mr. Ambury, ■who suggested that afte'r the dinner a public meeting should be held, so that ladies and others might be admitted to the dress circle to hear the speeches, the, speakers taking the platform. Mr. Gorkill was opposed to any free public meeting following the dinner.—ft was decided to hire the Theatre Royal. An executive committee was elected, comprising Messrs. G. Tisch, R. Cock, T. C. Sehnaekenberg, W. J. Penn H Okey, M.P., F. P. Corkill, W. Ambury, £ Dockrill J. Paton, and E. P. Webster (secretary). A meeting of the committee was held subsequently, and arrangements were discussed. Duties were allotted to the various members in connection with estimating the probable cost before fixing the price of the ticket. IFrom the di' mission it seemed likely that the pr' would be fixed at five shillings. The committee decided to state on the tickets that evening dress is not to be worn: Arrangements will be made for the disposal of tickets in all the Various centres, with a view of making the gathering representative of the whole district.