"IN COMMITTEE."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1909, Page 8

"IN COMMITTEE."

HARBOUR BOARD AND PUBLIC PROTEST .BY MR. FLETCHER. This afternoon Mr. R. Fletcher tried to induce the Wellington Harbour Board to depart from its customary policy of discussing important business in committee. *A meeting of the board was convened for to-day, and at the outset the chairman (Mr. T. M. Wilford) announced that t.ho board was in committee. At this stage the attendance comprised the chairman, Dr. Newman, the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, and Messrs. R. Fletcher and C. W. Jones The chairman stated that the purpose of the meeting was to take evidence about the PeLone Wharf, a structure ; that has been much discussed on account of the subsidences that have occurred. A number of witnesses would be called, including Mr. W. Ferguson, Mr. Cachemailo (late acting-engineer), representatives of the contractors, and others. Ifc ■was open to any member to suggest the name of any witness whose evidence he wished to hear. The press representatives were then informed that the meet- ! ing was in committee. | Mr. Fletcher at once protested against tho exclusion of the press. The subject before the members was one of great public interest, and there was no reason why the board should go into committee. The peoplG of Wellington wished to knoAV something about the subsidence of the Petone Wharf, and full publicity should be given to the enquiry. Tile board had a bad name for going into committee when it should not, and the people received no information, except in a boiled-down state. A great deal of t public money had been spent on the Pe- | tone Wharf, and it was "only a fair thing"' that the public should know the position. The chairman replied that the meeting had been called in committee in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the board. Mr. Fletcher : "No, sir." The chairman: "Pardon me!" He consulted the secretary (Mr. H. E. Nicholls), who supported Mr. Wilford 'a contention. Mr. Wilford then declared that after the evidence had been heard and a. full report drawn up, it could be disu.tsed m public. Any member would have an opportunity to comment on the evidence and read the whole or any part of it at an ordinary meeting. 'flic secretary, at the invitation of the chairman, read the resolution in question. It stipulated for "a full and exhaustive enquiry by the board in committee." Mr. Fletcher : "I moved that resolution, but I did not add those words, 'in committee.' 1 moved it while the board was in committee, .but the words 'in committee' have been added to it." The secretary : "My memory is distinct. The words were 'in committee..' " He had not an original copy of Mr. Fletcher'? motion. Mr. Fletcher said he did not wish to cast any reflection on Mr. Nicholls, whom he held in the highest respect, but he submitted that the secretary must be under some misapprehension. The chairman concluded the debate with a remark that he intended to review the whole of the evidence when tho enquiry was finished. H& had no power now to alter the board's resolution under which the meeting had been called. The reporters then withdrew.