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Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1922, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD’S CHAIRMANSHIP. All those who are identified with the industrial and commercial interests of Taranaki cannot but feel a sense of deep regret at Mr. Newton King’s decision to vacate the chairmanship of the New Plymouth Harbor Board, consequent on the pressure of other claims on his time. At the same time that feeling will be overshadowed by the keen appreciation of his services, not only as chairman and treasurer, but also throughout the whole of his membership on the board for the last two decades. As a large importer and exporter, as well as by reason of his numerous business establishments,

throughout the province, Mr. King was an ideal chairman, and the fact that he has at all times spared neither time nor labor in order to raise the status of the port so that it should be not only worthy of the province, but also one of the important ports of the Dominion, bears eloquent testimony to his public spirit and determination. He has guided the affairs of the board through what may be termed its crowning stage of development, and it is only fair that he should now pass on the burden of office to other shoulders. We are confident that the public fully realises and fittingly values such efforts as Mr. King has made oft its behalf. It will be a matter of much gratification to all Taranaki settlers that Mr. King still remains a member of the board, and therefore in a position to give the members the benefit of his sage advice, mature business experience and suggestions which are the outcome of an exceptionally successful business career. He has set an example to leading business men in the performance of public duties that is all too rare. His successor in office (Mr. C. E. Bellringer), equipped as he is with business training, was the first to admit that he will find it hard to follow in the footsteps of such a model chairman as Mr. King. Fortunately the members of the board are all sound level-headed men, and it mav confidently be expected that they will do all in their power to assist the new chairman and maintain a continuity of that policy which has been the outstanding feature of Mr. King’s regime.