HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED, DEPUTY DEFEATED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 11

HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED, DEPUTY DEFEATED

Mr A. A. Macfarlane was re-elected chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday for a fourth term, equalling the record of continuous service held by Mr W. P. Glue, who remains a member of the board. He was elected in a ballot against the Mayor (Mr G. Manning). Mr F. L Sutton was elected denuty-chairman. defeating

the sitting deputy, Mr W. F. McArthur, and Mr I* G. Amos. Mr Macfarlane was nominated by Mr McArthur. “I do so because I believe that from the board’s point of view, he has shown his ability in important work and negotiations.’’ Mr McArthur said he had made up his mind some time ago to nominate Mr Macfarlane. There had been some “kite-flying" in the newspapers. It had not affected

his resolution in any way. otherwise he might have been prepared to “have a go.” After making it clear that he had no objection to Mr Macfarlane, Mr W. B. Laing nominated Mr Manning, maintaining that the position should go round. The voting announced by the secretary-manager (Mr A L. Burk) was 10 for Mr Macfarlane, three for Mr Manning. The chairman’s honorarium was fixed at the present £6OO a year. When nominations for the deputy-chairman were called, Mr J. Brand nominated Mr F. I. Sutton, Mr Macfarlane nominated Mr McArthur, deputy for five years, and Mr Laing nominated Mr Amos. The voting was five for Mr Sutton, four for Mr McArthur, and three for Mr Amos. After the election, Mr Amos said Mr Macfarlane had been an ideal chairman, and while he was pleased at the re-election, “the jobs should spin around a bit." Mr Amos believed that no chairman should serve more than three years except in special circumstances such as had arisen at present when construction wo’- v was at an important stage. He asked for an assurance that the election

would not be “cut and dried” in a year’s time, and that the positions would be open. The best man who was prepared to give his time to the work should be chairman, said Mr J. Brand. “You can get into a lot of difficulty by rotating the chairmanship.” Mr Macfarlane said there would automatically be an election next December.