GREY HARBOUR BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1938, Page 7

GREY HARBOUR BOARD

MP,. J. RYALL AS CHAIRMAN 'l’he first statutory meeting of the Greymonth Harbour Board, as recon-stilurc-d under the Greymouth Harbour Board Reconstitution Act, 1927, was held last evening, there being pi> sont: Messrs. I'. .1. McLean. J. B. Kent (Greymoutli Borough), J. A, Aluidoch (Westland County), j. Ryall ami J. vtulcare (Grey Futility), W. Clayton (fnangahua ('oninyi. G. Perry (combined districts of Hokitika, Ross and Kumara Boroughs), J, Bmeaton (combined districts of Runanga and Brunner Borough', and A. IL McKane (Government appointeei. Mr* McLeaji. the ureliring Chairman of the Old Board, was elected temporary chairman. On the motion of Messrs. Clayton and McKane. the chairman’s honorarium was fixed tit I’loo, the same as last year. When nominations for chairman were invited. Air. Murdoch nominated Mr. McLean, Ihe nomination bring seconded by Mr. Perry.

Mr. Clayton nominated Air. Ryall. Tn doing so. ho said, he had in mind Mr. Ryall’s long service with local bodies, and on the Harbour Hoard in particular, and felt he was well qualified for the position. In the years past, the Board had had only a small number of different chairmen, but lie thought that principle was wrong, 'file position should, lie thought, to a great extent, go round, for they had able men on the Board quite capable of taking the position, and they should be given the honour. Mr. Smeaton seconded the nomination. and said he agreed with Mr. Clayton that the position should go round. Ho admitted the fine workdone by Air. AlcLean as chairman and as a member of the Board over many vears. but added that he considered Mr. Ryall well qualified by bis long service and experience, and entitled to the honour.

On a division being taken. Mr. Ryall was elected chairman by five votes to four. Messrs. Murdoch, Perry. Kent and McLean voted for Mr. Me-. Lean, and Messrs. Ryall, Smeaton, Clayton. McKane, and Mulcare in favour of Mr. Ryall. Mr. McLean, vacating the chair, said'..that in consideration of the position he occupied on the - poll, he allowed his nomination to stand. This was the first, time the Board had met as an elective body, and he congratulated Mr. Ryall on his election. There was no ill-feeling on his part, and he would continue to do his best for the Board. The Board had been loyal to him right through, and Im appreciated the co-operation they had always given him. Ho would be only too pleased to give Mr. Ryall any assistance he.' could. Mr. Ryall thanked the members very sincerely for the' honour conferred on him. Ho would do his best to justify that confidence. All realised to the full the good work done by Mr. McLean as chairman, hnt be (Mr. Ryall) was of opinion that the chairmanship should go round. He welcomed all members to the new Board. A vote of appreciation of the services of the retiring chairman, was carried unanimously, on the motion of Mr. Murdoch, and the chairman (Mr. Ryall). Mr. Clayton was elected deputychairman, on the motion of .Messrs. Mulcare and McLean. There was- no seconder to Mr. Kent’s nomination of

Mr. McKane, who withdrew in favour of Mr. Clayton. It was resolved 1 that all members form the Finance Committee. Following usual procedure, the depnt.v-ehair-mah (Mr. Clayton) was elected chairman of the Finance Committee. It. was decided on the motion of Messrs'. Perry and Smeaton, that the monthly meetings of the. Board be held on-the second Wednesday of each month.

Messrs. McLean and Murdoch were appointed to represent the Board on the Centennial Committee. On the' motion of Messrs. Murdoch and McLean, it was decided that copies of all legislation, schedules, and regulations dealing with the Board, be supplied to members. Mr, Kent raised the question of the “famous frog ponds” at Blaketown,

and asked when it would be possible for the long-delayed conference with the Borough Council, ,to be held. ! Ou the chairman’s suggestion, it was decided that the Board meet at 2 p.m. on June' 8, for an inspection of I works, and that the Borough Council delegates he met at Blaketown in the I course of the inspection, to discuss ■ dealing with the- “frog-ponds.’’ The ordinary meeting of_tlle Board will be held at 8 p.m., on June 8. v