TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2359, 21 May 1892, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The following is the conclusion of our report of the last meeting of the Harbor Board, which took place on Thursday : After luncheon Mr Talbot did not attend. RATEPAYERS* PETITION. Mr Flatman moved that the prayer of the petition of the ratepayers be granted. (The petition prayed that no additional expense should be incurred with regard to the shifting of shingle until after the election of a new board.) Mr Flatman desired to direct-attention to the fact that the petition was in the handwriting of Mr C. G. Tripp. He merely mentioned this as it was alleged that members of the board were stumping the country. After all, it was the ratepayers who had to pay, and it was only fair and right that consideration should be given to the petition. It seemed to him that the board were indulging in reckless extravagance. Mr Teschemaker did not see the good of all this. The resolution had already been carried ordering the plant. The chairman said the previous resolution wou'd have to be rescinded, if Mr Flatman’s resolution was carried. Air Hill objected to burking discussion. When the hist loan was asked for, the members stumped the country and promised that no rate would be required. Mr Manchester : I contradict that. Mr Hill: Very well, yon can do so. They had not the money to go on, but their haste was indecent. Nothing would satisfy them but to cable the tenders, which would cost an enormous sum. The chairman denied that it would. The tender for the Mana cost only £7. Air Hill ; That was only one tender, but supposing there were 40 tenders, what would they cost 1 All this extravagance was gone to save 40 days time. The mail would bring the tenders in 40 days, they would have all the tenders laid before them, and that would be more satisfactory. There was no necessity for haste ; there was no danger, and the ratepayers’ money should not be wasted in cablegrams. The ratepayers ought to have a voice in the matter, and he would second the motion. Mr Gibson said the discussion was a waste of time. The petition was not a powerful one, only 230 out of all South Canterbury, and these signatures were obtained by false issues being placed before the people. (Expressions of ’issent.) He would repeat it, one ivas that the money was being spent to protect the north shore. How many of them read the reports, and how many of them understood the subject ? He admitted the ratepayers were equal to the members of the board, but they had not the information. Air Evans said Air Gibson’s speech was an insult to the intelligence of the community. The men who signed the petition read the papers, and knew well what they were signing. If they paid no attention to the petition of the ratepayers they would be sorry for it. Last January they said that there was not a moment to lose, but they had delayed six months, and there was no danger yet. Of course he saw it was no use for the minority to attempt anything, and there was no use in discussing it. Air Manchester denied that when the last loan was asked for, it was represented to the ratepayers that they would not have any rates to pay. Air Stumbles showed how goods were damaged in vessels loading where the waves break over the breakwater. What the ratepayers wanted was the shingle to accumulate there, so that ships could be loaded in safety, and he thought their petition should be considered. Mr Flatman said the ratepayers knew better than those who were guided I entirely by the engineers. Mr AlanChester had recently said he knew nothing except what he was told by the officers of the board. Mr Alauchester : I deny it. Alessrs Evans and Hill: You are reported to have said so. Air Flatman understood he said so. He objected to any more plant being purchased. They had great trouble to dispose of the Titan, and they might have trouble in disposing of the Alana, but what guarantee had they that the vessel they were now ordering, would suit in a few years ! Why should they go on heaping up plant in their harbour in this way I Tim town members were charged with wanting £50,000 spent, but the sum required was £30,000 in extending the mole SQOO feet. All the people were hot so erratip as A{r Tripp. Air To.sqhemaker was not able to move any more of those who signed the petition. Talk about stumping the country ; but lie went around privately on horseback. Air Teschemaker ; ’Tis false. The chairman : Order, order. Air Flatman : Air Tripp told me you had gone on liorsobac]c to sec Air Thew! (Laughter.) As what Air Lilbqt said, unit he (Alr Flatiqau) had got iutq their boat, he denied it- He would rqthei drown lirst. (Laughter.) All he said

' was, that if a dredge was wanted he would .me object: but they had not gone in an honest straightfo-ward way about getting one. What his side had done was honest and above board. Mr Teschomaker said he had been invited to Mr Tripp’s when he was in the district attending f.he races. Mr Tripp asked him to see, Mr Thew. As for Mr Flatman saying he wont into his district, it was not true, (excitedly). Confound his district, he would not stand it. (Laughter). The question was (then put and lost, Messrs Evans. Hill, Stumbles, and Flatman voting for it, and Messrs Teschemaker Manchester, Wilson, Morris, Acton, and Gibson against it. Mr Flatman then moved a resolution that the members of the board should resign. The chairman said he could not receive such a resolution. It was a matter for the personal consideration of the members. Mr Flatman : Then you can receive this, (handing in his resignation.) The chairman said he felt sure every member of the board was sorry to rece Mr Flatman’s resignation. The board could not afford to lose a member who had so conscientiously done his duty. Mr Flatman said he was personally very sorry, but seeing the petition of the ratepayers was treated with contempt, he could not withdraw. He had been on many boards, and was accustomed to straightforwardness, and he saw no course now open to him but to resign. Mr Gibson bore testimony to Mr Flatman’s honesty and capability, and urged him to withdraw. The minority had always to submit to the majority. Mr Flatman said nothing but an election would prove that the ratepayers were against the board’s action. (Mr Flatman then left the room.) Mr Evans thought Mr Flatman did right after the way the majority of the board had acted that day. He moved that all plans and specifications be sent Home by mail, and all tenders sent out by mail, but the chairman refused to take the motion. (Mr Evans then proceeded to write his own resignation, but before he could have done so, the board had adjourned, the chairman stating he would have time enough to consider the matter.)