HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6450, 22 February 1908, Page 9

HARBOUR BOARD.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP. ME. MACDONALD WILL NOT STAND. The Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald last evening informed a representative of the “New Zealand Times’' that lie did not intend to offer himself for re-election to tne cluiirmunsbip of. the Harbour Board. “I have been asked by all classes and conditions of the public to consent to be nominated again," lie remarked, "the main argument being that the progressive policy which I have outlined for the future should have my own energy beliind it during tho next year. I, however, feel very strongly that that argument is good only to a certain point." Mr Macdonald explained that with the assistance of the executive heads of the Board he had outlined what he regarded as absolutely necessary for the progress of the port. That means the expenditure of .£850,000 on new works and ,£2(;0,000 on tho dock during the next three or four years. He had no doubt the new Board would approve this, and would sanction asking Parliament for authority to raise the million pounds required.

AT HIS WIT’S END. Tho harbourmaster was at his wit’s end to accommodate the fleet of steamers that was constantly coming into the port and they could not hold back the matter of providing berthage. He was amused at tho fear expressed by Mr Duthie, at the Chamber of Commerce, that this was a departure from the stable finance of the past. It was quite the opposite. The Board regarded these requirements as absolutely necessary, and it was consequently their dutv to provide the means. They were exercising the greatest wisdom, and were creating aai absolutely stable finance. In the additional burdens which it would be necessary to impose he was sure the Board would deal fairly as between the 'shipping companies and the importers. It was quite unnecessary that he (Mr Macdonald) should personally be at the head of the Board while the new scheme was being carried out. He had the utmost confidence in tho acting officers. They were not n evr men, but had been with the Board, under the leadership of Mr Ferguson, for twenty or thirty years, and they understood completely the latter's views for the future. ' “ THE CANDIDATES. Referring to the two candidates for the chairmanship, Mr Macdonald said Mr Harkness would bring to the office a very complete knowledge of the export trade, in connection with which, as secretary of the National Dairy Association, he was daily on the wharves. He was an industrious business man, capable in every respect, and would give the work a dem-ee of personal attention that would be most valuable in the interests of the public. Mr Wilford was an old member of the Board, and was, like himself, a nominee of the Government. He was well known to the public, and it was to be regretted that the calls upon his time for the past year or two had prevented him from giving more than perfunctory attention to the business of the Board.