FOR THIRD TIME

Evening Star, Issue 22026, 11 May 1935, Page 20

FOR THIRD TIME

HARBOUR CHAIRMANSHIP SOUGHT SELECTION PROBLEM FOR BOARD MEMBERS The first duty of the newly-elected Otago Harbour Board when it holds its initial meeting will be the election of a chairman for the ensuing year. More than passing interest will be attached to the election, in view of the possibility of a close ballot. _ ' . , The board’s first meeting was originally fixed for Thursday next, but it has been postponed for a further week, to ensure that the final counting of votes will have been completed when the board sits. JThe position of chairman carries with it an honorarium of £2OO. The sum was subject to two 10 per cents., and when the second cut was made the board gave some recompense to the chairman by paying the cost of refreshments, which, in the days of prosperity, constituted a costly debit on the chairman’s honorarium. The amount has since been restored, but the board continues to meet the bill for refreshments. It is often _ asked nowadays whether the honorarium is justified, as when it was first introduced over 20 years ago its purpose was for the entertainment expenses of the chairman when warships and distinguished visitors were in port. Entertainment of that nature is very light for the chairman of the Otago Board, and in some quarters the honorarium is looked upon as being tantamount to a salary. Whether or not the honorarium has any influence, the fact remains that the position is one which is usually coveted by the members, and many close elections have been held in the past. From 1891 to 1896, Mr Hugh Gourley held the chairmanship, but with the exception of the 1913-15 period, when Mr H. E. Holler was .in tne chair, the position had been a rolling one until last year, when Mr H. C. Campbell adopted the unusual course of seeking a further term in view of the financial position of the board.

The chairmanship is likely to bo a hotly-debated question this month, as Mr Campbell again intends to seek election, for the third time. He topped the poll with a vote of 17,508, the largest vote ever given in Dunedin to any local body candidate, and the support of the citizens is accepted as giving him justification for standing again ns their most popular candidate. Mr J. B. Waters, who was elected to the board four years ago, is another candidate, and for some time past he has been gaining support. The constitution of the board has not greatly altered, and the past members will, at the present stage, have to decide between their past chairman and the chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr Waters represents the payers of dues on the board, and has not had to run for public support. > - There may be a third candidate if Mr Archibald Campbell, the Port Chalmers _ representative, chooses to stand again. He was apposed by Mr H. C. Campbell at the election a year ago, and he then declared his intention Jo seek ihe fkMrmaaship & yea? {ater.

He, too, joined the board in 1931. The Labour vote on the board remains as in the past year, Mr D. Copland replacing Mr F. Jones, M.P., who retired, but political influences play little part in the selection of chairman, a position which the board considers should* be given as a reward for service. Overtures have been made to Mr H E. Holler to stand. He was last in the position in 1928-29, and he is recognised as being one of the best chairmen since Mr E. C. Hazlett. It is understood, however, that Mr Holier will require more persuasion than has been exercised to induce him to be a candidate If ,he would accept the office, there is little doubt that Mr D. F. H. Sharpe, a shipping would have an easy victory in an election. Personal reasons have been responsible /for his rejecting nomination in but it is believed that the way is now clearer for him. Popular among all sections on the board and possessing a thorough knowledge of shipping and the port, Mr Sharpe has every qualification to be an ideal chairman, but in view of the situation that has arisen through Mr H. C. Campbell’s intention to oppose Mr Waters, it is very unlikely that he will be a candidate.