THE RECENT WRECKS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9419, 23 May 1882, Page 3

THE RECENT WRECKS.

A public meeting was held in Titnaru last Friday evening in the Theatre Royal whichwas crowded to excess, Mr James Granger was voted to the chair. The Venerable Archdeacon Harper moved —" That the following gentlemen canvass the town and neighborhood for subscriptions to the relief fund :—The Mayor of Timaru, Mr J. Meikle, Mr J. Granger, Mr E. Wakefield, and Mr R. Slansell ; and that the following gentlemen act as trustees to receive all moneys subscribed, distribute the same to the widows and Orphans of the viccims of the disasters, and irivest snonies as they may think fit, with the object of relieving any distress occasioned by the calamity of the 14th May, of erecting a suitable memorial to those who perished, in the cemetery, and recommending the names of those who volunteered, at the risk of their lives to the notice of the Royal Humane Society, viz : Ven Archdeacon Harper, Messrs J. Granger and E. Wakefield." The motion on being seconded by Mr Rutherford, and the name of Mr Ziesler added to the list of trustees on the suggestion of Mr Wildie, Was carried unanimously. Mr Wakefield moved—" That the present administration of the Harbor Board is highly unsatisfactory—(Hear, hear, and prolonged applause)—and that it is desirable that the constitution of the Harbor Board should be altered in such a manner that the people shall have direct representation upon that body." He reviewed the actions of the Board, and said they seemed quite incapable of realising the responsibilities devolving upon them when the trade increased. The lessons of last year ought to have taught them, when 15 ships had been sent away laden with grain. This year ought to have been better, and they ought to have madeprovisions lor increased trade, but they did nothing but wrangle at their meetings, When boats were to be bought they would not buy them, and when the season came on they were short of everything. He referred to how the old landing services were hampered, and finally shut out by the Board who monopolised all the work without mak-

j ing provisions for carrying it, and j attributed the incapacity shown by the I Board to the fact that it was not elected by the people, but nominated by the various bodies. As the Board was about to levy a rate, now was a time to change its constitution.

The re&olution was seconded by Mr Bourn, who said that while South Canterbury was the finest district in New Zealand the port was five years behind the ageThe motion wag earned.

Mr Hamersley then moved—" That the Government be respectfully re- | quested to introduce a Elll into Parliament abolishing the present constitution of the Board and making it a body to be elected by the ratepayers of the Harbor District," and in course of his remarks said that what people wanted was the choice of the men who constituted the Harbor Board. The object was to cause that body to cease to exist, and L>ave an elected Eoaul in their stead. Of course, an elective Board would be free to act, but they could not say they did not crre for public clamor. Uaptrin Crsin ia seconding the resolution said he never saw things so mismanaged in his life. If the Harbor Board had cons-pi ed to min Timaru they cou ! d not bare gone about it more e3ecturt!y. When the old landing services existed the port had a good reputation bi;t it had been going to the bad ever since the Eo.-v'd took the shipping into their own h? ji's. They had not proper appliances for loading rnd unloading vessels, and the result was that ships were detained in port until they were driven ashore.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Booker moved— •< That copies of the resolution be sent to the members for South Canterbury with a request thai they will use their best endeavors to. further the objects contained in them." He said that nearly all public instilui ions were elective and the Board shoulo be. A few years ago there were 21 s,nvf boats at work in the Harbor but they were not there now, and the City of Perth had to He idle for a month before anything was done for her. He believed if there had been a tug in the harbor no wrecks would have taken place. He attributed all to the want of ordinary business capacity of the Chairman, and as a loan was to be raised they ought to have a voice in the election of members. Mr Brownell seconded the resolution.

Mr Partridge said it would not be wise to ask t'.ie members to censure their own actioas, and moved—" That a deputation be sent direct to Wellington."

Mr James Bruce, Mr H. Eelfield and Mr Moss Jonas argued that this course would be impolitic, as in that case it would make enemies of the South Canterbury members. U'timately Mr Partrige's amendment being seconded was put to the meatipg, but only a few sup-;ovfed i-, and it was lost. The original motion was then carried.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.