HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN

MR A. W. BARNETT ELECTED , At tlie annual meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board yesterday Mr W. E. Aubrey intimated that he would not offer himself for re-election as chairman, and thanked members for their attendance at meetings and their assistance. Mr W. Cooper, on' behalf of members, expressed appreciation of Mr Aubrey’s work during his term. It may not have been a smooth path, said Mr Cooper, but Mr Aubrey had done his very best for the port and district in the circumstances.

The chairman’s honorarium was fixed at £73 10s, the same as last year. Proposing Mr A. W. Barnett as chairman, Mr A. McMillan said Mr Barnett throughout all their troubles had been one of the members who had retained his dignity, and he had had long experience of the business, of the board and the harbour.

Mr W. R. Williams seconded the proposal, stating that in all probability—at least they hoped so—it would bring about the harmony they so desired. Mr Barnett was elected chairman unanimously.

Mr Barnett, returning thanks, said he would do his best to create and intensify the spirit of goodwill and to make the pert the most efficient of its size in New Zealand. He asked members to keep to the subject under discussion when speaking, to make their remarks as short as possible, and not to speak to the staff during a meeting, but to put all questions to the chairman. The staff must address the chairman ar.d not members of the beard, and no member would be allowed to make disparaging remarks about any member of the board. In the event of any offence, said Mr Barnett, members would be asked to withdraw their remarks and, if necessary, to apologise. If members observed these rules, they could avoid all misunderstandings. Mr R. A. McDowell was re-elected deputy chairman. He thanked members for their continued confidence in him, and assured the chairman he would cooperate with him in every way he could. There was some discussion on the size of the Standing Committee, which, on the motion of Mr D. S. Bain, was limited to six members. The following committees were elected: Standing—Messrs Barnett, McDowell, W. R. Williams, G. E. Glen, W. M. Cooper, and A. C. McLelland; Finance—Messrs Barnett, Glen, McDowell, J. B. Chapman, and Bain: Disputes—Messrs Barnett, McDowell, and McLelland.