Harbor Board Chairman,

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 17, 21 July 1887, Page 2

Harbor Board Chairman,

mb McDonald makes reference to HIS SLANDERERS. .ELECTION OF MR SIEVWRIGHT. At the Harbor Board meeting last night the business of electing a Chairman in place of Mr Graham (whose term of office had expired) was brought on. Mr Chambers proposed Mr Sunderland, Mr Gannon seconding. Mr Dickson proposed Mr Sievwright. Mr McDonald seconded, and in doing so said: I wish to clear myself with regard to what appeared in the Poverty Bay Herald with reference to my nomination as a member of this Board. I would ask the Chairman to read this telegram [handing in telegram]. Mr Gannon : What has this got to do with ths matter before the Board ? Mr Matthewson; Let the Chairman deaide. The Chairman; It seems to.ma that Mr McDonald should bs allowed to proceed with hia observations. Mr McDonald; I wish I had only the power—the power of the Governor in Council—to do these things attributed to me. The telegram I got was dated the 6th July, asking me whether, if nominated, I would accept a seat on the Board. The telegram does not say that Mr Graham is going to be kicked off the Board, nor Mattheweon or Sievwright. That is all I wish to say. I support Mr Sievwright for the Chairmanship, because being a town member he will be the better able to attend to the business. Mr Matthewson agreed that only a town member, and one who would devote himself to the work, was fitted for the position; apart from this Mr Sunderland would make an excellent Chairman. Before the motion was put, Mr Sunderland said: With reference to this matter I may say that I have been a iked by two or three members if I would stand. I replied that I did not care whether or not I was elected to the position, but if they thought I would make a good Chairman, I would leave them to do as they considered best. lam in town about twice a week, and if that is enough to attend to the business of the Board, would take upon myself to do so ; but I do not seek the position, and do not care much whether you vote for or against me. The members divided—For Mr Sunderland : Messrs Chambers, Townley, and Gannon. For Mr Sievwright: Messrs Dickson, McDonald, and Matthewson. The Chairman said he was placed in a very unpleasant position, but after the arguments used in favor of a town member he felt bound to accept the position, and vote for himself. Mr Gannon pointed out that the election was informal, as the by-laws compelled every present member to vote or leave the room while the motion was being put. He wished to have the matter placed beyond dispute. The Chairman thought it did not require that a member should actually leave the room, but it would perhaps be better to place the matter beyond doubt. Tile votes were again taken, with the same result, Messrs Sievwright and Sunderland voting for themselves, and the casting vote being given as before.