MOKAU.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1921, Page 3

MOKAU.

THE HARBOR BOARD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The meeting provided by statute for the election of a chairman for the ensuing year was held on May 11. Mr. S. ‘Whitehead was re-elected chairman for the succeeding term. Mr. McKeown said although only a new member of the Board, he was quite satisfied that in Mr. Whitehead they had a most efficient and tactful chainman, and he thought they could do no better than return him to the chair. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Whitehead, in returning thanks, said it was pleasant to be associated with men who, no matter how they differed in opinion, never allowed their differences there to mar their daily relationship outside the board room. He was sorry the financial position of the Board was not better, but as members know this was due to causese over which they had no control. It was only a question of time when the Board would again be self-support-ing, but there was no doubt the past, tour or five years had be6n decidedly “lean” years as regarded finance. However, it was a long lane that had no turning and he hoped for better things in the near future. Settlement was going on apace, the dairying indus:ry had obtained a good foothold, and the potentialities of the coal and lime deposits on the river were enormous. He believed there would be such development in the future as was quite undreamt of now. and whatever change there was must be for the better. Mr. Whitehead then took the chair and ordinary business was proceeded with. It was decided to write to Airs. E. F.' Stearne, wife of the late Captain, of tho ill-fated Turanga, expressing the board’s sympathy with hei in the loss of her husband. It was resolved: “That in view of the recent request by the Minister of Public Works not to enter Into any definite contract while the present financial stringency lasts, it was dear the matter of assembling the snagging punt would have to be held over for a time.”

A letter was received from the Minister of Lands stating he had made enquiries with regard to the area of sand hills near the Mokau heads, desired by the Natives to be set apart as a burial ground, and he had found It to be totally unsuitable for the purpose. The Department, therefore, did not propose to set it apart. It was decided to hold over Mr. Geo. Sage’s notice of motion in regard to an increase in