Harbour Board Members Entertained

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1938, Page 7

Harbour Board Members Entertained

The annual meeting of the Whangarei Harbour. Board came to a happy ending yesterday, when the chairman, Mr J. A. Finlayson, and Mrs Finlayson entertained board members and members of the staff at luncheon. Mr E. L. Whimp, deputy-chairman of the board, in proposing the toast of the chairman and his wife, remarked on the fact that for the past 10 years, Mr Finlayson had entertained board members in this manner. He paid a tribute to the fine work done by Mr Finlayson. remarking on the unusual fact that there had been no opposition at this year’s election for chairman, after Mr Finlayson s period of 15 years in that capacity.

Special reference was made by Mr Whimp to the hardships of the early pioneers who. as far back as 1879, had been giving their services to the people on local body work. Conditions then were very trying, declared Mr Whimp, and It was most gratifying to see so many young men—the offspring of the pioneers—to-day shouldering local body responsibilities. The prospei’ity we enjoyed to-day. he emphasised, was clue entirely to the ceaseless efforts of the early colonists and local body workers.

Mr H. E. Hewlett, another board member, stated that it was the highest honour to Mr Finlayson that he should have been re-elected without opposition. It was a tribute to the integrity with which he had carried out his policy for the board.

Mr W. M. Fraser, secretary-engineer to the board, spoke on behalf of the staff members, and eulogised Mr Finlayson's work.

Responding to the toast, Mr Finlayson said it was no doubt the last time he would preside at such a gathering. He thought the time would have conic in another year when lie would have to relinquish his chairmanship to someone else. “It is only right, that the job should go round,” he said. “I can assure you that when another chairman is appointed next year, 1 shall serve under his presidency for the remaining two years of this terra just as well.” Mr Finlayson paid special tribute to the help of his wife during his long period as chairman.