IRATE WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 278, 2 December 1907, Page 6

IRATE WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD.

MR HISLOP SATS WE ARE

IMPERTINENT.

AND THE CHAIRMAN AGREES,

We published on Saturday a telegraphic summary of the proceedings, at. the Wellington Harbour Board when Mr W. T. Wood, M.H.R., read the resolution of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce respecting the resignation of Mr Fer'guson and commending those members of the Board who strove to retain him. The resolution was regarded by the "Pin-prick" brigade, who are very sore at the universal condemation of their action as reflecting by inference on them, and there was a. scene of which this is a somewhat full account:—

On Mr Wood asking that the letter conveying the resolution be placed Sin record. Mr R. Fletcher took trong exception to the last portion of the resolution, which showed that the chamber was not seized of the facts. Not a 'single member of the Board had omitted to express regret at Mr Ferguson's retirement and this letter cast an unwarrantable slur on some members.

: 'The chairman (Hon. T. K. Macdonald) said there was some ground for Mr Fletcher's remarks. It was a great pity chambers should thus overload such resolutions with master that had nothing to do with them. (Hear, hear). Such resolutions should not contain any reflections on members of the Board.

Mr Fletcher said something simi lar had emanated from the Welling ton Chamber.

The chairman said it was a pity that gentlemen belonging to chambers of commerce, who were supposed to Lave some sense of proportion, should put in those wretched little things that ought never to appear, and could only give rise to discussion and dissatisfaction. They had all recognised the very valuable services of Mr Ferguson; had recorded that on the minutes; and there was only one opinion about it. Why this should be done, it was difficult to understand ! When they saw such want of sense and judgment on thg part of chambers of commerce they need not wonder at the action of the Minister of Marine in leaving them out of the constitution of Harbour Boards. They had only themselves to blame. Mr Wood pointed out that as th e Board unanimously regretted the retirement of Mr Ferguson nobody could be specially referred to in the resolution. The chairman said the discussion was entirely out of order since the letter could only be recorded by a special resolution. Hon. T. W. Hislop: I think it is ay great piece of impertinence on the part of this chamber, and we have wasted too much time over it already. Mr Shirtcliffe: May I say a word or two? The chairman: No, there is no motion before the board. Mr F. H. Fraser: I move that the letter be received and placed on the minutes. Mr Hislop objected. Mr Shirtcliffe seconded the motion iu order to have an opportunity of— Mr Hislop: I object altogether to this motion. Mr Beaucliamp: I take it that the object of the Chamber of Commerce has been achieved by sending this letter to Mr Wood. The Chairman, having consulted the Standing Orders, ruled that Mr Fraser's motion required notice, and was consequently out of order. A few minutes later when the Board was about to go into committee, Mr Shirtcliffe asked indulgence to refer to the matter again. The chairman: No, sir, I cannot. I have declined to receive Mr Fraser's motion. Mr Shirtcliffe: It seems to me you have made very strong remarks against both the Palmerston North and the Wellington Chambers. The chairman: I cannot allow any discussion at all. There must be notice of motion. I should be very sorry if any remarks I have made have irritated either the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce or the President of the Wellington Chamber, but they have themselves entirely to bldme for passing foolish resolutions— Mr Shirtcliffe: That is your opinion. Will you allow me to say— The chairman: I ruled you could not discuss the question. I tell you so frankly and won't allow it a minute.