FLOOD DAMAGES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 9

FLOOD DAMAGES.

TO THE EDITOR It wifi hardly be necessary for me to say that every member of the Harbour Board sincerely regrets that any of its tenants or the public should suffer loss, but it has to be conceded that the members are the trustees of the board’s purse. 1 cannot, at this point, enter into the ethics of the position, but it is proper that 1 should correct inaccuracies in Mr Stevenson’s letter, otherwise the public will have a wrong impression as to the way we conduct our business., Cable, when replying to mv remarks on Friday evening, this being his last meeting, as he is not seeking re-election, sa,< J- “Cn local bodies he had a good deal of experience, and he could say that the Harbour Board carried out its business better than any other body.” Mr Stevenson holds up to criticism the apparent delay in our reply to his letter, and says that .the letter starts thus:— “ Subject to your communication (0.H.8. 26775) of the Oth inst.” The secretary’s letter commenced in these terms: “ Further to my formal acknowledgment of your communication (0.H.8. 26775) of the 6th inst.” Mr Stevenson goes on to say “that all correspondence bearing on claims for damages should come before the full board and not before a committee consisting of the chairman and secretary.” You will observe, Sir, that Mr Stevenson in his letter wished to appear before the board. Consequently it was necessary to' advise him, as early as practicable, of our position. Is it not usual for the chairman of a board to reply to correspondence of an urgent nature prior to placing it before his board? However, in this connection, I enclose you a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Standing Committee (full board in committee) for April 19. from which only one member was absent, and that through illness, and from this you will see that Messrs Stevenson's. Ltd., letter was before that committee and was discussed, the secretary’s reply being approved. I also enclose the order paper for Friday’s meeting, from which you will see that Messrs Stevenson's letter was again there for further consideration, if necessary. I cannot enter into the case of Miss Murdoch in your columns, but I can say that there is a satisfactory answer from our point of view.—l am.-etc., H. E. Holler, Chairman, Otago Harbour Board. April 29.