OPUNAKE HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 256, 19 March 1913, Page 7

OPUNAKE HARBOR BOARD.

L\ ACCURAL MKKT'XI.!. Ihe first meeting of the newly-elected Board was held at Opunake on Saturday, when there were present: Messrs T. L\ Hughson, 1!. I'. Malcolm, M. J. Macßeyuolds, 11. Moore, das. Maclie and A. McKeown (elected members) and I\. Lanibie, senr. (Uovernment nominee). The returning officer, .Mr. Ceo. Rogers, having read the. ollieiaj. declaration, Mr. McKeown proposed, and .Mr. Ilughson seconded, that Mr. Mac-Reynolds be elected chairman. Mr. Hughsou was proposed by Mr. Malcolm. but declined nomination. There being no other nomination, Mr. Macßevnolds was declared duly elected. (in taking'his seat. as. the. first chairman of .the Board, 'Mr..Macßeynolds said he had no idea or expectancy that be would have been nominated for the position, and he would certainly have declined bad his election not keen unanimous. As it was, he accepted their verdict. He'was not altogether a novice on public bodies, but he confessed that he had no knowledge of harbor board business. It was, however, never too late to learn, lie had every confidence in hi* team, and had no doubt they would cope successfully witli any difficulties which might arise. Mr.C. A. Wilkinson. M.P.. wired bis congratulations. The following letter was read from the Lauds Department:—"As you are aware, it is provided under clause !) of the Opunake Harbor Amendment Act. 1!>12, that the lands mentioned in the schedifle' attached are set apart .as an endowment for your Board. Although the schedule is incomplete, in that' it does not state where the sections are ■situated, the lands referred to are ■ tlidse shown in the schedule, and the schedule gives the particulars of the sections that are leased, the names of the lessess,''and annual rentals, etc. 1 have notified the lessees that in future the rents |payable under their leases .must. be paid to your Hoard. In the case of sections 7 -! to 4, block 28, leased to T. Knowles, you will observe that the lease expires oh dune ;SH next. As this lease includes sections 40. 47. 4S, Opunake s.ub-' iii-barn wbich are'not part of the endowment, no action will be taken until the Mate -of the expiry."—The rentals from the sections above mentioned total £:i.S lis (id per year. , Mr.■■MooyC' considered there had been i,great, secrecy, observed in regard to the ..appointment of the Covernmeut member. I Absolutely no-information was disclosed as to wlio their colleague was to be until-! tbe very last moment. lie asked the chairman for an explanation.—The chairman said lie knew absolutely nothing about the matter, and be had not been sufficiently curious to find out. Had .be j been consulted in the matter, however, be would have sooner seen Mr. Lamtie than anyone —Mr. Rogers pointed out that the 'official telegram announcing Mr. Lambie's appointment bad not come to baud until that, day—not, in fact, until after tbe hour appointed for the Board's meeting." It was decided to hold the first ordinary meeting on .Wednesday, week at 1.30 p.m., and thereafter on every second i Thursday, at the same hour. Applications, returnable at next meeting. are to be culled for the position of secretary.—Abridged from Star.