Mr. E. L. Whimp In Harbour Board Chair

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1939, Page 2

Mr. E. L. Whimp In Harbour Board Chair

Chairman of the Whangarei Harbour Board for the past 13 years. Mr J. A. Finlayson indicated at the annual meeting this morning that he did not desire re-election.

Mr Finlayson proposed Mr E. L. Whimp. deputy-chairman, for the position and he was unanimously elected, with Mr H. E. Hewlett replace ing him as deputy. Expressing the view that a man could occupy the position as chairman for too long a period. Mr FinInyrcn said I hat lie had officiated for 13 of his 13 years as a member, The board was constituted of seven members and during his membership he had been associated only with 14 ether repreesntatives.

He would be pleased to continue, if spared, as an ordinary member for the remainder of his term and he was sure that his successor would receive the same support as had been accorded him.

He thanked members for their interest and work on behalf of the harbour board and expressed appreciation to the Press for the fair manner in which the board’s business had been presented, to the public.

Mr Whimp Elected

Mr Finlayson eulogised Mr Whimp’s services as deputy-chairman and nominated him for the vacancy.

Seconding the motion Mr P. R. Gardner paid a tribute to the work Mr Finlay son bad accomplished during his long term nf office and said he had given his time without stint and had neglected Ids own business in the interests of the board.

Mr Whimp was unanimously elected and in returning thanks said he had accepted the office at a serious time when revenue at the Town Wharf was declining, attributable to the operation of another system.

He expressed appreciation of Mr Finlayson’s long service and said he had a big responsibility in endeavouring to uphold the high standard the previous chairman had set. The co-operation of members.' the staff and the Press was necessary if WHangaroi was going to occupy its rightful place among the ports of the Dominion.

Mr Whimp felt sure that Mr Finlayson’s record as chairman would stand for all time as, with the increasing business for which the board hoped, future chairmen would not be disposed to accept office for more than four or five years. Members also appreciated the way in which. Mrs Finlayson had assisted her husband and pointed out that it was only the cooperalion of the womenfolk that enabled. the majority of local body members to conduct public business. Work of The Press.

Reverting to the assistance the board had received from the Press Mr Whimp paid a tribute to the work Mr H. W. Crayvford had done in the interests of the board and the public. The publication in the "Northern Advocate" of the case for and against the trucking'system on the eve of the sitting of the Transport Co-ordination Board had carried more weight than all the evidence and he wished to record appreciation on behalf of the board. On the motion of Mr Gardner, seconded by Mr E. W. Rickard, Mr Hewlett was appointed deputy-chairman. Other members congratulated, the past chairman on his work for the board and the new chairman and deputy on their accession to office, promising assistance and co-operation in the conduct of the board’s .affairs. The chairman’s allowance was raised from £IOO to £l2O on account of increased costs.

Committees Appointed,

All members were appointed to the finance committee as last year .and also to the works committee, the chairman and Mr Finlayson being assigned to act as a sub-committee of works. The chairman and Messrs Gardner, K. M. Stevens and R. H. Allan were appointed, a purchasing committee and the chairman and Messrs Hewlett and Finlayson were constituted a legal committee. The date of ordinary meetings was fixed at the third Thursday of each month, no alteration to be made unless absolutely necessary.