WAITARA HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 296, 7 May 1913, Page 8

WAITARA HARBOR BOARD.

THE FIRST MEETING. MEMBERS LEAVE THE ROOM. The first meeting of the newly-elected Board was held on Monday, and members made an auspicious beginning, an acrimonious discussion taking place with: regard to Mr. W. T. Jenning's position on the board. Those present* were: Messrs. Jus. Mine, 11. E. Vaughan, A. W. Ogle, W. F. Jenkins, E. T. Hicks, W. Birdling and \V. T. Jennings. Mr. Jenkins was in the chair,' and called for nominations for the position, of chairman, whereupon Mr. Hine moved; and Mr. Ogle seconded, that the meeting be adjourned till Tuesday, May 13. Mr. Hine stated that he and Mr. Ogle had! legal advice to the effect that Mr. Jennings' seat was vacant by reason of his. illegal appointment, and such being, the, case he (Mr. Hine) considered that it I was the proper course to adjourn until I the position "was clear. He could not. conceive of any gentleman accepting the I position of chairman unless he was- assured of the confidence and support 1 of a majority of the Board, and as the Board was not fully constituted' such assurance could not be given. In: any case there was no violent need for hurry,.j as the late chairman held office until< ,the appointment of a successor. ! The ensuing discussion disclosed considerable difference of opinion, and, Mr. Jennings stated that as far as < lie was j concerned he was a member of the Board until his appointment was cancelled) and: he claimed that right. He had' takenlegal advice, and was so guided. An amendment by Mr. Birdling, seconded by Mr. Hicks,*that the business be proceeded with lapsed on it being' pointed out that it was a direct negatives and, returning to the attack, Mi 1 .. Hine said that since it was believed' the constitution of the Board would be different, so far as the Government nominee was concerned, the interval should be allowed to take place so that they would where they were. If on the 13th it was found that Mr. Jennings was a legal and qualified member then he and 1 those with him were prepared to accept the decision. In the meantime Mr. Jenkins would hold the chair until his successor wa* appointed. According to Mr. Jenkins, the reason why he had called the meeting so early was because a difference' Bad! arisen between Mr. Dowsett and' the harbormaster and pilot in respect to work being carried on at the north wall, and he wished the Board to settle the matter as soon as possible. After a few passages>at-anns, in the course of which Mr. Jennings announced emphatically that he was equally a member with the other, and intended to hold his sea until his appointment was revoked, Mr. Hine'fc motion to adjourn was put to the vote and lost, by four iTotes to three.

A formal protest was then entered by jMr. Hine against Mr. Jennings sitting as a member, and he concluded by atatjing that he and his colleagues would take no further part in the meeting. The trio (Messrs. Hine, Vaughaa and Ogle) then walked out of the room, and the ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN was then proceeded with. It was proposed by Mr. Hicks', and seconded by Mr. Birdling, that the chairman for the ensuing year be Mr. Jenkins. In eulogising the services of Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Jennings expressed the hope that the good •work done in the past would be continued. Touching oh ancient history, he said that had the Board purchased a dredge, as proposed some years ago, the mouth of the river could have bee,n practically dealt with. The motion embodying Mr. Jenkins' election was carried, and in returning thanks the chairman said that he anticipated plenty of trouble ahead, but his opponents could take it from him that they would get all they wanted. People who treated the Board as the three who left the meeting were not deserving of any consideration from the people of Waitara. THE GOVERNMENT NOMINEE.

Understanding that Mr. Jennings would not accept an appointment for a further term, the chairman asked if the Board •wished to recommend anybody to the Government.

Mr. Jennings explained that as his business took him away from home he was no prepared to continue in office, not that he had any doubt that if he was recommended he would he reappointed. The Board accordingly resolved to recommend the appointment of Mr. A. H. Halcombe, it being pointed out that the county should be fully represented on the Hoard.