HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3830, 13 May 1913, Page 5

HARBOR BOARD.

SPECIAL STATUTORY MEETING

MR TOWNLEY-RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN. COMMITTEES ELECTED. The special statutory meeting of tho newly-elected Gisborne H.nhcr Board was held at 11 o’clock yesterday morning. There were present: Messrs J. 'Town'ey, J. Cl.uk, A. fu'.\yer, E. V. Palmer, G. L. Humphreys, T. Holden, R. Sherratt, G. Smith, H.. White, and Mr. J. A. McDonald gineer-Secretary) . The returning-officer (Air. H. AI. Porter) formally notified that Messrs J. Townl-ey, J. Brown, J. Clive Collins. and G. Smith had been returned at the election on April 30 to represent the Borough on the Board, and Air. T. Corson to represent thb payers of dues. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Engineer-Secretary (Air. J. A. McDonald) thpn took the chair, and called for nominations for the position of chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Clark proposed that Air Towntey should be re-elected, pointing out that that gentleman had. been chairman for many years, and had an intimate knowledge of the affairs of the Board. The,, were fortunate in having a man of Air. Townley’s experience, who was prepared to devote, so much of his time to harbor matters. It was not necessary for him to make

a long speech in support of Air. Townley's nomination for the. position. They all knew the good work he had done, and actions spoke louder than words.

The motion was seconded by Air. Holden, who also referred to the conscientious manner in which Air Townley had attended to the interests of the Board during, ms long term of office.

There were no further nominations, and Mr. Townley was declared reelected. amidst applause. Mr. Townley then resumed his seat at the head of.the table, and thanked the members for having once again appointed him to preside over the Board. As Mr: Clark had stated, he had been a member of the-Board for many years, and chairman for a long time! He congratulated the members who had been re-elected, and stated that it was a proof that the public wore satisfied with the matter in which harbor affairs were being administered that too old members had been all returned. The only alteration was with regard to the payers of dues’ representative, in which Mr Corson replaced Mr. Waclismann, who had had a good deal to do with the improvements made. The improvements which had boon effected were giving a good return, and the extension of the breakwater at present in progress should still further increase the facilities of the naroor. He hoped the coming year would be one of progress. Ho was sorry that the steamer from Auckland had had to pass on on Sunday night without connecting with the port. In his opinion it was time that some better method with regard to transhipping passengers at Gisborne was made. This matter had been considered by the Board soma time ago, but nothing had come of it. He considered that the coastal passenger steamers ought to leave Auckland earlier, in order that they might arrive here well in the daylight. Had the Mokoia arrived by 6 o’clock on Sunday night, the passengers could have been tendered. They should make representations to the" Union Company on the matter, and if the company could not see its way to comply with the- request, they ought to put on a ferry service from Auckland. They should consider the convenience and comfort of passengers landing at this port, but instead of doing this the vessel stopped at Auckland until late at night, with the result that Gisborne had to be frequently worked in the dark. It was a matter for regret that bad weather bad obtained during the visit to this port of 11.M.5. Now Zealand, but it showed that the authorities had considered Gisborne in sending the battleship here. She was indeed a splendid specimen of niar.no construction, and it was an education to go aboard and view the modern, improvements with which she was installed. That a vessel "of such size, and weight could

steam round the world in such a short time was a testimony to the progress that was being made in naval construction. As he had stated before, ho hoped the Board would have a year of sol-id progress, while for himself lie would do what he r-culd to advance the interests of the port. He thanked Mr. Clark, who had been a member of the Board for so'many years, for the kind remarks lie bad made in proposing him for re-election.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES

' The election of committees was then proceeded .with,-and resulted, as follows :

Works Committee.—Messrs Brown, Holden, Witters, White, and Sawyer. Finance Committee. —Messrs Townley. Collins. Humphreys, ‘White, PalIneiy and Corson.

THE LOAN BILL

Tho Chairman referred to the Loan Bill, which be said members would notice was Doing advertised. Ho thought it would bo as well to appoint a sub-committee to deal with any matter that might crop up in connection with tho Bill. ... It was decided to authorise the Finance Comm.itWe to deal with anything that might arise. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Mr C. J. Parker for the meeting.

Hi is concluded the business.