SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1908. THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION. Who is to be the New Chairman ?

Free Lance, Volume VIII, Issue 398, 15 February 1908, Page 6

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1908. THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION. Who is to be the New Chairman ?

WHAT was it that kept the- electors of Wellington away from the polling booths on Harboui Board election day? Was it that the weather was so enervating as to rob citizens of their energy and mteiest on this most important occasion? Over twenty thousand people were eligible to vote for the municipal electors' representatives on. this important Board, and yet the two elected candidates polled less than three thousand votes in the aggregate' This is deplorable, in view of the more than ordinary importance of the work awaiting the Harbour Board in the immediate future « • * It was generally anticipated that a fairly heavy poll would have been taken at this election The great interest that has been aroused recently in the Harbour Board's affairs warranted such a result. Wellington appeared to have been deeply stirred alike on the subjects of the Evans Bay Reclamation scheme, the new Dock site, the acquirement of the Patent Slip, and the various other enterprises to which the Board has set itself. The election has served to show the vagaries common to a democracy in this respect. » • • Let any one of the Harbour Board officials commit an error of judgment, and the whole twenty thousand would rise to 'declaim the official. We should never hear the last from those who glory in "the liberty of the subject," "the franchise," and "freedom of speech." But when it comes to the effort of hurrying from work to safeguard the interests of their harbour — Wellington's first commercial and industrial consideration — they are found wanting The result of the election in so far as the personnel of the elected officers of the Board is concerned is creditable. Mr. R. Fletcher, whose return we confidently predicted last week, has certainly merited the public confidence shown in him by his return at the top of the poll. The public of Wellington recognise in Mr. Fletcher a man who is disinterestedly seeking the welfare and advancement of their city He has shown by his every action that the self-sacrifice of personal interest and the exercise of his best efforts at all times are mdissolubly part of his office. Mr F G Bolton is a new man on the Boaid, and the energy which he infused into his election campaign, together with his reputed ability and zeal in all business enterpnses, lead the public to hope for the best of good service from him. The other two new members, Mr. C. W. Jones, of Huddart, Parker, and Company's office, and Mr. J. G. Harkness, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, should also be most useful and able members of the Board • • • In view of the great extension work contemplated by the Board, the election; of its new chairman on February 25th becomes a matter of more than ordinary importance. The Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald, having served his term of two years faithfully and well,

retires, and does not seek ie-election. The chairman must be lesident in town, so that the choice of a membei to fall that position must be made from the following four members Messis. Wilford, Fletcher, Harkness, • and Fra-ser Mr Harkness has stated that he will not accept the office, and Mi. Fraser has pieviously served a term as chairman. This piactically reduces the eligible gentlemen to Messrs Wilfoid and Fletchei But in this election one fact must very propeily opeiate in favour of Mi Fletcher's claims to the position. The first and one of the most important duties awaiting the new Board is the acquirement of the Patent Slip In this matter it is oMy to be expected that the interests of the Board and the Union Steamship Company are hkelv to conflict, and the fact that Mr. Wilford is solicitor to the Union Company would certainly put him in a very awkward position if he had to act as chairman of the Harbour Board and piofessional adviser to the Union Shipping Company at one and the same time. In fact, the position appears impossible. ♦ * • Probably enough Mr. Wilford will seek to avoid such an anomalous position, for no one is keener to see an invidious situation than he. Over all this consideration in Mr Fletcher's favour is the fact that he has shown himself to be an officer of the Board who has a thorough grip of the Board's affairs He appears to possess all the qualifications necessary to the chairman of the Board, and no difficulty seems fco stand in the way of his election to the important office