LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11623, 5 July 1898, Page 6

LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lf the truth of “Viking’s” statements is to be measured by Ills assertions regarding myself, I am afraid there is not the slightest reliance or importance to be placed upon them. I need hardly point out that the “Press" newspaper truthfully reports my own action in regard to the two matters mentioned by “Viking.” In ’the matter of the “ Lyttelton sewers,” I voted for a conference being held between the two bodies affected ; and in the matter of .sending an engineer Home to superintend the fitting out of the dredge, I voted for such a course being followed.. This disposes of the implied’ charges laid against me by “ Viking."—lT am, etc., THOS. M’CLATCHIE. ■ Ouristchurch, July 4. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —“ Viking," hi your issue of this morning, has written w.. on out h knowledge of facts. Captain M’Clatchie, the representative of the Lyttelton people, was anxious for, and suggested to several members that Mr Turpin should be sent to England to bring out the dredge, and voted against an English engineer being specially appointed for a term of years. Newspaper reports of Harbour Board meetings are not always accurate. I am, in one paper, made to agree with Mr Gibbs’s motion to employ a first-class 'dredging engineer at Home, and then with Captain M’Clatchie to vote against it, whereas I said that “ without agreeing with what Mr Gibbs had said, i thought it unnecessary expense to send Mr Turpin Home, as if they had confidence in the English people to buy their vessel, they surely could allow them with safety to appoint an, engineer to bring her out, when, if it was found that he was more suitable than any other we had here, the Board could employ, him.” . Captain .M’Clatchie throughout liis term of . office has Veil served the Lvttelten people.—l-am, etc - ROBERT PITCAITHLY. ’ Christchurch, July 4.