CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 8 January 1914, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

THE POUT. OR PORT NELSON";

To the Editor. Sir.—My attention lias been drawn to a report in your paper of the discussion which took place at Monday s Harbour Hoard meeting on the Admiralty's suggestion that the name of "Ilie Port"' should, be altered to "Port Nelson" s<> as to avoid confusion when the name is cabled Home in connection with the movements of Imperial warships. It appears there are several other seaports in the Empire bearing the name of "'i lie Port." hence, the Admiralty's desire for •a change of the name. The Hon. the Postmaster-General (Hon. -Mr Rhodes) wrote to me some time ago (I have his letter) asking my opinion on the Admiraltv's suggested- change of name. Let me repeat that my opinion was asked b\ the Hon. the Postmaster-General. He did not ask for the opinion of the members of the Harbour Board, but as an act of courtesy I wrote to the Haiboui Board and invited an expression of opinion from them. I shall be pleased. .MiEditor. if you will insert here the extracts from your report which will show that mv act of courtesy to the Boaid was discussed by certain members in a most uncalled for and discourteous m.in-

ner. — "Some discussion ensued at yesterday afternoon s ' meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board on a letter being read from Mr H. Almore. M.P., notifying the Board that the Admiralty had approached the Government suggesting that the name of '"The Port as a designation for Nelson Haven should be altered to "Port- Nelson," as the former name caused misconception when Home in connection with the movement of Imperial ships. Mr Atmore said he would be pleased to receive an expression of the Board on the subject. "Mr Maginnity asked whether Mr Almore had any official authority in the matter. The' Board had received no intimation on the subject from the Government, which would have informed the Board had the matter been of sufficient importance. He was of opinion that the letter lie on the table until the matter came before the Board in an omcial way.

" t.he Cnairmau and several members uf the Board were of opinion that the letter should be acknowledged, and thatth-* writer be informed that 110 intimation on the subject had yet been received from the Government-. The Chairman also thought -Mr Atmore had acted in good luith, but had gone the wrong way about it. "Capuun Aic-Nab remarked that Mr Atmore had laid himself open to a snub : but Mr Macmahon said nothing would be gained by snubbing the writer of the letter.

"Mr Washbourn moved, and Mr Best seconded, that the letter be acknowledged and -be referred to the Marine Department. "Air Maginnity moved, as an amendment, that tho letter lie on the table. Seconded by Captain McNab. "Mr Trask was of opinion that Mr Atmore should be informed that the .Board had received no communication from the Government on the subject. "Mr Franklyn said that as the letter was i'rom their member it should be acknowledged. "After iurther discussion, Mr Magiunity agreed to accept a motion to the effect that the letter be acknowledged and that Mr Atmore be informed that the Board has received no official communication from the Government. "The motion was carried and the Board passed on to the next- business" « Your readers will see that Mr Maginnity (Chairman of the Reform League), moved that my letter should lie on the table, and in. supporting the motion ,he said, "Mr Atmore had no official authority in the matter." After some discussion Captain McNab seconded the motion. (Captain McNab is also a member of the Reform League here.) Let me tell Mr Maginnity that my standing in this matter is at least superior to his own, in that I am the direct and elected representative of the people, while he is only the Government appointee. and further his position as President of the local Reform League does not entitle him to treat the peoples' representative with studied rudeness, when the latter is carrying h : s duties in a perfectly courteous man ner. Captain McNab considered I had laid myself open to a snub, just how, he did not explain. Would it be; because I had courteously consulted the Board on the -matter referred to me alone. May I tell the Captain that I did not lay myself open to a snub front any gentleman. The' Chairman's attitude is difficult to explain. > A great deal of the discussion was clearly out of order, but he allowed it to proceed in a. manner no previous chairman would have tolerated.. He j-emarked that he thought T - fiad- ''acted iii -good ' faith, but; had eone the wrong way about it,' hut ! he did not . say how it was wrong. Was it wrong-- to courteously consult a Marine Board on a question c'f port nomenclature ? Had Mi - Maginnity';j discourteous motion been carried, the common courtesy of' acknowledging mv letter would not have been extended to me. inspired him to take such a- discreditable step? Was it political spleen'/ In conclusion. Mr Editor, let me. thank Messrs Macmahon. Major Franklyn, Trask, Best, and Washbourn for obstructing such a discourteous proposal. If Mr Maeinnity" really wishes to deal me a political deathblow, let me assure him that nothing would give, me more pleasure than to see him slating me for the first 15» irinutes on my platform, when 1 give my post-session-al address. If he has not tho courage, let him nominate any other of the more experienced lawyers on the Reform League.but don't, Mr Maginnity ! as you value your reputation indulge in studied rudeness to' one .who still has the honour, notwithstanding your machinations, to sign himself as the peoples' representative in Parliament. I am etc., HARRY ATMORE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The discourteous action of a certain section of the Nelson Harbour Hoard in reference to Mr A tmore's-letter re the change of name of "The Port" to "Port Xelson" is deserving of sevei'e condemnation. This especially so on the part of Mr Maginnity, the local president of the Reform League. Though a supporter of the present Administration I am not a member of this body and feel convinced that such ill-considered action will inevitably do harm to the party's cause. The firm attitude of the Masse y Government when acting against the forces of disruption responsible for the recent strike, and- the splendid record of legislative achievement accomplished by them, are sufficient warrant to receive the increased confidence of the Dominion electorates, without, recourse to such tactics. T am, etc., MASSEY EVERY TIME. Nelson, Bth Jan. 1914.

The "() I><>l ik i Herald" .S-IVS t h;i I sine' Iho last eruption on A\ hite Island, one of tin- 111011 while working a good bit away from the ramp, came across a stone enibeded in the soft earth, apparently htrown out by the eruption. On coming back to ctunp lie sold his.inteiest to°two other jnen for a considerable .sum, and these two men are taking it to Auckland to a lapidary. It is understood that the stone, which is supposed to be of the precious order, has been hrught over to Opotiki lor sale keeping. Should it turn out as hoped, the hearts and shares of the shareholders will go up with a bound. Miss Hilda Cowham, in an article 011 "Amusing Children I Have .Met,' says that a. little girl she knew was told she jieed not he afraid in bed. as angels would watch round her tot at night. She hesitated, and then said. "-Mother, will you leave the light, as I wouldn tlike one. to settle on me!