WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 108, 8 May 1916, Page 8

WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD

At Wesiport last week a public meeting was held to consider the proposal of the Government to take over the control of the Westport Harbour Board. The Mayor (Mr. A. Leaver), in opening the proceedings, said the Government had tried to control the Harbour Board once before, and it had ended in failure. Mr. A. A. Wilson, Chairman of the County Council, moved a motion protesting against the proposal, on "the ground that it would have a serious and detrimental effect on the prosperity of the district; and that tho Board is undertaking- a scheme of work, covering a period of five years) which has been approved by the Government and is now- being carried out to tho entire.satisfaction of the Marine Department. In the course of subsequent discussion, Mr. D. J. Williams, Chairman of the Buller Hospital Board, said that when in. Wellington recently the Minister o£ Marine told him the taking over of the harbour by (lie Government was a matter of urgency, as he had certain correspondence from the Imperial authorities asking the Government to' take over control o£ the harbour. He (Mr. Williams) told him that it was unwise, and that it was not sufficient reason for taking" it over. Dr. M'Nab then said, "Oh, well, the Cabinet has decided to take it over, and that settles the mattor." Eventually a deputation was appointed to proceed to Wellington and place the views of the meeting before Cabinet.