HARBOUR BOARD REPRESENTATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 20 January 1905, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD REPRESENTATION.

DISCUSSION OF THE frITY COUNCIL.

The formal notification was read at the City Council last night from the secretary to the Auckland Harbour Board requesting the appointment of four members to represent the city on the Board.

The Mayor (Hon. E. Mitchelson) said in view of the fact that it was proposed to spend from £300,000 to £400,000 on harbour improvements during the next few years, it was imperative that the very best men should be appointed to the Harbour Board. "Hitherto," said the Mayor, "it has been a sort of go-as-you-please policy connection with representation of the city on the Harbour Board, and sufficient attention has not been paid to this point." "

Mr Parr: ''Would you suggest we have not hitherto sent the best men from the Council?" (Laughter.)

The Mayor: "I do not say that at all, but I do "say that when £400,000 is to be expended we should take care to have the very best men on the Board, and men who will attend to their duties."

Dr. Shannan: "Would it not be as well to secure a pledge from those appointed that if not re-elected to the Council they will resign?" The Mayor: "I understand you have had that before." * Dr. Sharman said at the present time the city was represented on the Harbour Board by a gentleman who was not a member of the Council. He considered any member who ceased to belong to the Council should at once resign. Mr John Court: "They gave that pledge last time we elected them, but if they do not resign we have no power to enforce the pledge. The appointment is for two years." Dr. Sharman: "Was some such arrangement made last time?" Mr Court: "They gave the pledge here." Mr A. J. Entrican: "It is a question of honour." The Mayor: "Just after I took office Mr Alfred Kidd resigned his seat on the Board, stating it was in accordance with the understanding at the time o-f appointment, that upon ceasing to be a member of the Council they should resign their position on the Board. Mr Kidd was the only member who did so."