DISAPPROVAL VOICED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20526, 9 April 1941, Page 10

DISAPPROVAL VOICED

ALLEGED INTERFERENCE OPENING RIVER OUTLET DISCUSSION IN WAIROA (Special to the Huraid.) WAIROA, this day. "A distinct and uncalled-for reflection lias been cast on members of the board,” Mr. P. J. O’Kane, at yesterday’s meeting of the Waifoa Harbour Board when referring to certain remarks ventilated round the town concerning the board’s attitude towards the re-opening of the river outlet.

Several members of the board expressed disapproval at the interference of another body ip the. board’s activities, and a motion was passed endorsing the chairman's action in carrying out the instructions of the board regarding the opening of the river mouth.

Reporting to the board, the chairman

said that there had been a fittlg, controversy over what should be dope and what had been done, On ihe Sunday the river was getting to a point where it. would break out in the right place. The following day, however, the, river continued to rise .mid engineers of the Public Works Department w.ere. approached and. an ipspection, njade. They suggested obtaining fjig, services of a bull-dozer, but, fortunately, heayy rain was experienced that night find the river broke out near the piers.

A .statement that, certain remarks ventilated round the to.wn in connection with the board’s attitude towards the opening of the outlet were very uncalled l’or, was made by Mr. D. Glengarry. Little differences between local bodies were not good for the town, he said. The members of the board had every confidence in their chairman.

“It is no good rushing into expense,” said the chairman. “We are not receiving any revenue from the port.” Interference With Board The opinion that no one else had any right to interfere with the board was expressed by Mr. V. E. Winter.

The chairman: We are in charge of the port.

Mr. O’Kane said that a similar case of intercference had occurred previously. If the Wairoa Harbour Board wanted to interfere with the other body’s activities it could find plenty to do with shovels in the streets.

“A distinct and uncalled-for reflection has been cast on members of the board,” added Mr. O’Kane.

The board, he said, had discussed what action should be taken in the event of the river outlet blocking, and the chairman knew what to do. Unfortunately, the board, as was the case on Ihe previous occasion, did not go to the trouble to pass a resolution in connection with the matter.

"We know the facts and we have every confidence in our chairman,” said Mr. O’Kanc. The board, he added, should not allow these slights to be cast on the chairman.

Referring to the river outlet, the chairman sgid that, while there was one outlet it was impossible to make another.

Mr. Winter pointed out that the board was to interfere with some of the activities of the other body there would be a lot of trouble.

"To use their own remarks,” said Mr. Glengarry, "vye will leave it to the ratepayers to decide."