THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 37

THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HARBOUR BOARD.

A CONTESTED ELECTION. Tho adjourned annual meeting of the Harbour Board for the purpose of electing a chairman was held on Tuesday afternoon, there being present—Messrs Booth, Speedy, Petherick, Jack, Fraser, Gale, Heaton, Captain RO3O and the Mayor. The Secretary (Mr W. Ferguson) road a letter from Mr Heaton giving notice that he would be a candidate for the position of chairman, Mr Booth moved that Mr J. Jack be chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Jaok had been a member of the board for a number of years. [Mr Heaton : How many ? ] He did not remember bow many, but he had been long enough for them to become thoroughly well acquainted with him, aud to appreciate his genial and kindly nature, and hi« capacity as a member of the board. Captain Rose seoouded the motion. Mr Heaton enquired if a member could propose himself. The Secretary said the matter was ruled by the standing orders of the House of Representatives, and he decided that a member could not propose himself. Mr Fraser moved that Mr Heaton be appointed chairman. He had not had sutfioient experience at the board to know the difference between Mr Jaok and Mr Heaton, but Mr Heaton being the senior member ought to have a thorough knowledge of the business. Mr Petherick said he had promised to support Mr Heaton, who last year had nominated him (Mr Petherick) for tho posi» tion—and ho would do so, but he had not promised to second his nomination. If Mr Heaton was duly nominated he would then support him. Mr Heaton : Second it pro forma. The Seoretary said that as there was no seconder the motion would lapse, and he was about to put the question that Mr Jaok be elected when Mr Petherick said that in order to satisfy Mr Heaton, who had appealed to him, he would seoond the motion pro forma. The Mayor stated that ho had arranged to pair with Mr Pearce on the quostion, and he then left tho room. Mr Heaton said he knew he spoke in anticipation of defeat, tie had been a member of the board for seven years, and he thought by this time he waß entitled to the position of chairman, but it seemed to be otherwise. It was very disheartening to him, after being a member of the board so long, and having assisted to raise the board to its present position—for one member had had as much to do with it as another—that there should be such opposition—forced opposition—to him now. New members joined, and they received all the credit, the older members being ignored altogether. He mentioned the numerous publio positions he had held, as showing that he considered he was fully entitled to the ohairmanahip of the board. Mr Fraser: You are not of the right colour, Mr Heaton continuing, said he had held the offioes he had mentioned with credit to himself, and he therefore thought be waß eligible for the present office. He went on to say that the question of politics had crept into the eleotion. It would never do when the elections took place next Deograber for the chairman of the board to be a strong Bapporter of the Liberal Government, The only redeeming point about the affair was that he had the support of the la’s chairman, Mr Pearce. One objection urged against him was that he had supported the men during the strike. Well, he was proud to say he had given the men all the assistance. Some members had said he was too outspoken, but he did not think that should be put against him as a fault. He had always oalled a spade a spade, and he would do to still. He concluded by rem>rkiug that he had always done his best iu the interests of the board, and ho was only sorry to think that the members did not think he was worthy to fill the position. Captain Rose considered that Mr Heaton was a very useful member, but he entirely differed from him when he said that politics had anything to doPwiththe present election. He had never before beard the question of politios mooted at the board table. Mr Heaton had certain weaknesses, which he (Captain Rose) and other members thought entirely disqualified him for the position of chairman. Mr Booth regretted very much that the personal element had been brought into the question, because there was no need for it. This was the first time in his long experience of the board that politios had been assumed to be an influence In the settlement of any question at the board table. He would give Mr Heaton an absolute assurance that he had no political feelings about the matter at all. Probably he was just as strong a, supporter of the Government as Mr Heaton. Perhaps not suoh a thick and thin supporter, but a safer and a wiser one. Mr Heaton had said that he was obieoted to because he was outspoken. That was not always a virtue, for sometimes outspokenness meant offensive impertinence, but he did not say that was so in Mr Heaton's case. He conoluded by Btating that there was not the least warrant for Mr Heaton’d assertion that politics had in any way entered into the settlement of the question. The Seoretary then put the motion that Mr Jaok be appointed chairman, which was carried by 5 to 3, the voting being as follows :—Ayes—Messrs Galo, Booth, Jack, Speedy, and Captain Rose ; Noes —Messrs Petheriok, Heaton and Fraßer, Pairs—Aye, the Mayor ; No, Mr Pearce. The Secretary declared Mr Jaok duly elected, and Mr Heaton then left the room. .Mr Jack, having taken the chair, returned his hearty thanks to the members for eleoting him, assuring them that he would do his best to deserve their confidence, i The meeting then oonoluded,