THE HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 253, 29 January 1889, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD.

The nominations yesterday for the Harbor Board, as was generally expected, resulted only in bringing forward a sufficient number of candidates to fill the seats and avert an election contest. With regard to. the town it was a foregone conclusion directly it was known that Messrs Bennett and Townley were going to Stand that they would be able to hold their own against all other candidates, and the seats were as near a certainty for them as anything can be certain in this world. Mr Townley has proved himself an invaluable member of the Board, and he could ill be spared : to him was in a great measure due the result of the recent poll, and he has shown a foresight and independence of action that might have saved the Board much trouble and anxiety had it always carried the weight it should have done. Mr C. D. Bennett is already a tried man and acknowledged to have all the ability and keenness of perception that are required to make a good member. His presence on the Board would have prevented the cement contract blunder to which strong reference has recently been made, and he will help to revive in the minds of the public that confidence which should be felt in the actions of every public body. As to the town members we believe that every ratepayer will be satisfied, and just as pleased that no election contest has been found necessary. For the country district the only alteration will be that Mr Shelton takes the place of Mr Gannon, who did not again come forward. There are many other gentlemen in the country whom we should have liked to see come to the front, and for various reasons there are certain to be migivings as to the wisdom of Mr Shelton’s election; but he is as yet an untried man, and he may be able to outlive the prejudices or onesided opinion with which his candidature will at first be regarded. He also brings new life to the Board, and it now remains mainly with himself to prove his usefulness as a public man. Mr Chambers we should have liked to see stand aside so that another new member might have been introduced ; but he has held his seat during a period in which few men would have cared to replace him, and now that matters have taken a much smoother course it seems hardly fair to expect older members to step out. The Board has been very adversely criticised in the past, and has also had to put up with much that has not been fair criticism. In the future we hope the Board will regain for itself as a body that confidence which is so necessary to its succesful working. Before the time comes round for the next ordinary election there are certain to be important developments in connection with the harbor; at present so much depends on circumstances, and how far the prospects of the future may be realised, that to offer conjecture now would serve no purpose.