REPLY BY MAYOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27296, 24 January 1950, Page 7

REPLY BY MAYOR

PORT CHALMERS FUNCTION REPRESENTATIVES OF TOWN NOT INVITED The Mayor of Port Chalmers, Mr T. Anderson, in a statement published in the Daily Times on Saturday, took exception to the fact that no representatives of Port Chalmers had been invited to the luncheon and cocktail party held on board the ship Port Auckland when she was at Port Chalmers last week. In reply, Mr G. L. Tapley, on behalf of the ship’s Dunedin agents, the Tapley-Swift Shipping Agencies Ltd, explained that the functions were of a private nature for shippers and importers. Mr Tapley also mentioned that permission had been granted for a collection on the ship and that the £7O received would be divided between the Royal and Merchant, Navy Club, Port Chalmers and the Seamen’s Mission, Dunedin.

In a statement to the Daily Times yesterday, Mr Anderson contended that the £7O had no bearing on the subject. “ The same people who permit shippers, importers and shipping agencies to progress are the general public—a good gesture and a pleasing benefit to the organisations affected. If the occasion was unofficial, why invite specific stated sections?” he asked. “It is a very old custom and procedure that the mayor and chairman of the Harbour Board of the port affected, receive first consideration on maiden voyages of marine and naval vessels of all kinds. On this occasion the chairman of the Harbour Board was invited, but the town’s reDresentative was not.”

When this statement was referred to Mr Tapley last night, he said that he had nothing further to add.