A RETIRING CHAIRMAN. Nearly forty years' service on the one public body and chairman for fifteen years is a great record for any citizen. That is Mr. J. B. Connett',; record on the Harbour Board, and the public wi.l agree that he is justified now in retiring and leaving the work that has been so well started to newer and younger hands. It has be on said that New Plymouth in the old days was slow and old fashioned, but it never lacked men of courage and vision when it embarked on what was then a, big scheme of harbor making at Moturoa. For the town and district then were very sparsely settled and without industries of any consequence. Conditions in every respect, were entirely different from what they are, to-day, but the improvement, ha? been largely wrought by the work done by the early pioneers, to whom we should give credit and extend gratitude. Among these worthy district builders, one of the most prominent is Mr. J. B. Connett, who from the very beginning had the utmost faith in the town, and particularly the harbor. Even when disasters came, when the breakwater was in danger of collapsing and all the work going for nought, ho never'lost confidence. lirUed the checks and reverses only served io spur him on to iurthci* effort, with the result that every difficulty was surmounted, and what he and those associated wits hia limea' at is now achieved —a harbor able to berth in safety the largest vessels tr-ylhg iwttb Neiv Zealand. It has heen given to Mr. Connett to see the work commenced and the first big siip :--i , i«hed and loaded with produce, to set tne commencement of a most imoortaril stege in the de-
vetopment of the pvovincV For that iky he worked untiringly and zealously, and the community can never adequately repay him for his service. The harbor UK it stands to-day is a monument to his prevision, faith, service and courage, and an example and inspiration, to the younger generation, who cannot realise the obstacles and difficulties he and his colleagues had to contend against. Mr. Connett leaves the Board full of honor, and we are sure all will join witlt us in expressing the hope that he will be long spared to enjoy a well-earned rest, and the -beneficent wishes of a grateful' province.
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Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1917, Page 4
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395Untitled Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1917, Page 4
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