AN ARDUOUS POST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1058, 22 February 1911, Page 6

AN ARDUOUS POST.

HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN. . SALARY: OF £200 OFFERED. Remuneration to the chairman <of the Wellington Harbour Board for tie >timo and energv which he has to devote to the work came up at last night's meeting of the board, when Mr. T. M. Wilford moved:—"That in accordance' with the powers given to the board under Section 23 of the-Harbours Amendment Act, 1910,the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board be granted an allowance at the rate of £2W per annum from January 1, 1911." r Speaking in support of his motion, Mr. Wilford stated that. during the time when he was chairman of the board he had realised to the full necessity of Ecnie remuneration being given to the chairman for the work which he had.to do, and to assist in meeting the constant calls that were mado upon him while acting in that capacity. While he (Mr. Wilford) was chairman of the board he could not,ask Parliament to alter the law governing this matter without placing himself in an invidious \ position, Sihco Mr.'Fletcher's election as chairman, however, the speaker had joined with others throughout New Zealand in pressing the matter on the-attention'of the Government.' There had been a difference of opinion as to whether this salary could bedn on January 1, or from date, and ho (the speaker) had asked that the-opinion of the boards solicitor should be taken on the point. The opinion of the solicitor iras-that the payment could begin from January 1, and that the motion, as it stood was perfectly legal. If the chairman of the board continued to devote as much time to its affairs as Mr. Fletcher had done he was quite sure that he would be out of pocket at the end of his term. This was especially so in view of the increased business of the board, and the expansion of its activities in all ways. He had much pleasure in moving this motion, and he did not think that any discordant note would be struck in connection with it. Mr. Wilford mentioned 'in concluding that the Auckland .Harbour Beard had already determined to pay its chairman JE2OO a year. - , • Mr. Bolton remarked that, realising the amount of work which the,chairman of the board was required to do, he was only too glad to second the motion. A great amount of ■ the chairman's time was taken up with matters of detail in addition to tho official work. required as a matter of custom. Parliament had sean fit to provide .£2OO as a maximum salarv to be paid to chairmen of harbour'boards. This amount, in his opinion, wns bv no means excessive. Mr/Tewsley thought that it was only lit and propor to pass tho niotipn. At the end of the year it would be found that .£2OO would not bo altogether an adequate compensation for the chairman. ■ Mr. Daniell considered that tha enthusiasm of the chairman was a source of pleasure not only to the board, but to the community in general. He thought that they should fee that the chairman was not out of pocket through the office. Mr. Cohen remarked that, if the board hid had the power before, it would have remunerated its chairmen previously. Tho next best thing was tn take advantage pf the opportunity when it did come Messrs. Hildroth and M'Ewan also spnkc in approval of the motion. Tho motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Fletcher thanked members, for the unanimous way in .which they had snpnorted tho motion" but remarked that he was not ot all certain whether he would accept the allowance voted him as from January 1. His personal inclinations lay in the opposite direction. :