Timaru Harbour Board Chairman Resigns At 85

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 3

Timaru Harbour Board Chairman Resigns At 85

The resignation of Mr W. H. Hall as chairman of the Timaru Harbour Board was accepted with regret at the monthly meeting of the board. The deputy-chairman (Mr E. W. D. Unwin) was appointed in his place, and Mr A. J. Burmester was elected deputy-chairman.

A member of the board since 1938, and chairman since 1952, Mr Hall was a delegate to every Harbours Association conference. He also represented the board at the Australian Port Authorities’ conference at Cairns in 1958. Mr Hall, who was 85 last April, wrote to the board from Timaru Hospital, where he is recovering from an operation. Mr Hall thanked the board for the “wonderful help and support” he had received as chairman. The. main scheme on which the port would flourish was the provision of meat loaders, and he was positive that the board and waterfront workers would co-operate in the working of the loaders when installed to enable South Canterbury to make a worthwhile contribution to the re-

duction of delays to shipping on the coast, which would help to check the rising freight costs which were a “killer” to the country's exports, said Mr Hall. “It is A sad day for the board,” said Mr N. A. Rattray. “I do not suppose in the history of the board that the harbour ' has made as great an advance under any other chairmah than during the years of Mr Hall’s guidance. enthusiasm and ability. To him, , the board, and the whole of South Canterbury, owes a great debt." he said. Tributes were also paid by other members of the board, who referred to Mr Hall's tolerance and courage.