HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 115, 7 February 1908, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

It is time that ratepayers, shipowners, and payers of flues gave their attention to the question of. selecting the candidates most worthy of support at the coming Harbour Board elections. The decision involved on the present occasion is no light one. Never in the history of the Board was there more reason for t.lie exercise of care and sound judgment in choosing the men who are to control the affairs of this great public body for the coming term. Our readers are familiar with the changes which are taking place ill the executive staff of the Board consequent on the partial retirement of Mr. Ferguson, whose long and able administrative efforts as Secretary and Engineer have relieved the members of the Board of much of, the cares of office. This departure must necessarily throw a greater sliare of responsibility upon the individual members, of the Board, and this added burden comes at a time when the programme of new works and undertakings in hand and proposed is exceptionally large, even for tliis flourishing port. Matters of great moment, to the future of Wellington must come up' for determination during the next two years, and it behoves electors to exercise proper care in making their selection of the men to decide these issues. It may be taken as a gpod augury for the future of the Board that no fewer than six candidates have come forward to seek the Suffrages of the municipal roll _ electors who return two members, while there Are two candidates who will contend for the votes of the payers of dues and owners of ships. The remaining members of the' Board are appointed, by the Government, • by local bodies, and by the Chamber of Commerce. Of the six candidates who offer themselves for the two vacancies filled ; by 'electors whose names are on the municipal roll, two, Messrs. R. Fletcher and G. Shirtcliffe, at present hold seats on the Board. The former was elected at the last election, and the latter J?as appointed by the Chamber of Commerce as its representative'. Mr. Shirtcliffe has already' announced • his policy in our advertising columns,' arid states ■ definitely enough his views on one ]or < two of the more important issues which have been before Ulie Board of late. Mr. Fletcher will address a public meeting this evening,- and Messrs. ,F. G. Bolton (Mayor of Eastbourne), G. •Wilson, W. 'T. Hildreth,'. and J. W. Copithorne will no doubt give the electors some more definite'.idea of their views before election day. At the present time the contest appears to lie be-' tween Messrs. Shirtcliffe, Fletcher, Wilson, and Bolton, but we shall have more to say on the subject when the views of candidates have been made public. 'The shipowners and payers of dues have two candidates to choose between—Mr. C. W; Jones, local manager of Huddart,. Parker; and Co., and Mr., James MTlellan, of J. Lysaght, Ltd. Both gentlemen: are well-known in business and shipping circles, and a keen contest is anticipated. Mr. Jones will no doubt liave the support of the shipping but Mr. M'Lellan, who already has'many years' service on the Harbour Board to his credit, and' who has fought \strenuously for an' equitable- allocation of port charges', may . be expected ioscore ; heavily among the payers of dues. There is a tendency on the part of' candidates for office on the Harbour Board to expect electors to take tliem on trust. : This. i$ a. risky policy to adopt, and those who have not. fret declared their 1 views would bo .well-advised ,to give them such'.publicity as is possible during the short time remaining before election day.,.