HARBOUR ELECTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 110, 24 April 1911, Page 5

HARBOUR ELECTIONS.

OPEN-AIR MEETINGS.

The Harbour League held an open-air meeting in Hastings Street, Napier, on Saturday evening. Mr. Martin, of the Criterion Hotel, kindly gave the use of his balcony, upon which a screen was erected, and lantern illustrations of the harbour works, Napier South reclamations, proposed I schemes, etc., were displayed.! Unfortunately the bright lights of I the street prevented the pictures! coming out as clearly as could have! been wished, but the public will I be able to see them plainly | enough in the Theatre Royal onj Tuesday evening, when the next’ meeting is to be held. i

Mr. Arthur McCarthy addressed the public from the balcony, explaining the various pictures as they were thrown upon the screen. These pictures form an interesting and educative addition to the engineering facts which have been placed before the electors.

RALLY AT HASTINGS. MONSTER MEETING AT RAILWAY CROSSING. If anything further was required to demonstrate the revulsion of feeling in respect to the breakwater scheme which received substantial support at the time of the taking of the £300,000 loan poll .18 months ago, it was made visible by the expression of public feeling at the monster open air meeting held at the Railway Crossing, Hastings, on Saturday night. The speakers were Messrs. G. S. Clapham and David Whyte, the two candidates who withdrew’ their nominations to safeguard the interests of the Harbour League, and Mr. Eustace Lane, the League’s candidate, who goes to the poll.

Mr. Clapham, who was the first on the stump, briefly outlined the histbry of the loan fight. He spoke | of the victory of the gallant few, j who, however, felt that safety could only be kept by the exercise of con- i stant vigilance. He felt that he! could safely leave matters in the I hands of the Harbour League, butj unfortunately, a few w’eeks ago he I found one had repudiated the 1 League and was going to stand “on l his own.” It was at the meeting; the other night he (the speaker)! found that 'something was wrong. He felt that it was time he put his; foot in the door as he did not agree! w'ith Mr. Lane’s platform. He, the; speaker, was nominated so that he! could be there if wanted. It was i at 3.30 on Saturday that Mr. Lane i decided to adopt the Harbour! League’s platform, and as there was! a danger of splitting the yote he (the 1 speaker) and Mr. David Whyte had! agreed to stand down. (Applause.)! On this point he stated emphati-! cally that, although he had been! approached to stand down by the) Harbour League and by Mr. Nelson, I they had made no impression upon! him. At the last hour, when Mr. I Lane consented to forsake his own! platform and to support the piat-i form of investigation of the whole’ harbour question, a consultation: had been held with as many inter- ’ ested electors as could be found in; the few moments left. Mr. Clap-: ham had then consulted with his j nominators, and all were satisfied j that under the circumstances his; withdrawal was apparently thei best course for the electors.

Mr. Vi hyte spoke of the good work done by the Harbour League, how it was responsible for the reduction of Harbour rates from £21,000 per annum three years ago to £9OOO this year. He spoke of the great increase in trade. He was sure the Inner Harbour scheme would go through. To-day they stood as a united party. Personally he was glad to stand down, because he was sure Mr. Lane would help on the cause. We' know him well and are sure he will carry out his pledge with sound, solid determination. They were there to uphold the principles for which the party stood. A breakwater washing away was not o f the nature of a permanent asset. He saw the possibility that in the Inner Harbour they had the prospect of an increasing asset. The Inner Harbour was a scheme which would wipe off the loan and provide icvenue which will reduce our rates. Surely it was the people’s dutv return men to the Board who

go in for a thorough investigation. Mr. Lane also addressed the meeting at length, but as ho addresses two r.r. tiiws before the taking of ■ ;.c s defer reporting i.i'a uiv d Imp.-

Mr. L< -he bov.bi ’f ppi mounted the stump id spokt o, c. misunderstanding. The oijf.t >r the Association when :i wa- fu-i formed was to investigate rite- Ur .he best harbour in Hawke > Pay. It was through this that the Associates was allowed to die and the Harbour League was formed.

Mr. Whyte said that as he was the founder of the Association, and when it was abandoned, was elected the first chairman of the League, he was well acquainted with the history of both bodies.