HARBOUR BOARD. THE NEW CHAIRMAN.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 16, 19 July 1900, Page 6

HARB OUR BOARD. THE NEW CHAIRMAN.

VIOLENT SPEECH FROM MR. G. FISHER. The ordinary meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board was held this afternoon. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.H.R., •who vras appointed a member of tho Board in the place of Mr. J. Hutcheson, M.H.R. (Chairman) was present among the other members. Mr. Booth expressed regret that Mr. Hutcheson had been removed from tho Board, and eulogised his conduct as member and Chairman. He moved that Mr. Harold Beauchamp be appointed Chairman for the unexpired term. Mr. G. Fisher, M.H.R., did not see what Mr. Hutcheson had dono to merit special praise from the Chairman or from the Evening Post, which on Friday lasfc had indulged in fulsome trash in reference to the requirements of the position of Chairman of the Board. One would imagine that Mr. Hutcheson's retirement almost meant the demise of the whole concern. Ho would like to know what Mr, Hutche&on had done to benefit the affairs of the Board. His most notable action was "in declining to pay a tribute to tho British arms in connection with the relief of Mafeking and the capture of Cronje. It was on many occasions distasteful to him (Mi 1 . Fisher) to be present when Mr. Hutcheson was Chairman, and consequently he had often absented himself. Mr. Hutcheson's election to a position on the Board was the result of v trick, and he was glad that that, gentleman's career was ended. Mr. Cable quite endorsed Mr. Booth's expression of regret at the retirement of Mr. Hutcheson. Mr. N. Reid also expressed his regret, iind deprecated the personal remarks of a member who had been present at the Board meetings twice during the year. Mr. T. M. Wiiford said lie had had no opportunity of knowing what Mr. Hutcheson had done on the Board, but no one, not even his political opponents, would deny that the late Chairman possessed brains. He (Mr. Wilford) had a lot to do to get in line with the gentleman whose position as member of the Board he was now filling. He might state, however, that the suburban people had expressed gratification that thu suburbs were now represented on the Board. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Beauchamp expressed thanks for the compliment paid him, and a hope tbat he would deserve the confidence of the Board. Mr. Fisher then retired, stating that he had to attend important Parliamentary business. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. T. W. Gale, who is away from Wellington on a health journey. Payments for wages, contracts, and salaries, amounting to £6325 17s 5d were passed. The Board then went into Committee.

The Minister for Railways has informed the Vigilance Committee pf the Wellington Friendly Societies that he cannot see his way to grant representatives of friendly societies the same concessions in fares that are allowed to delegates of labour and religious organisations.