Mr Smith and the Harbor Board.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 203, 14 August 1896, Page 3

Mr Smith and the Harbor Board.

Mr Davies, after the minutes of last meeting were read at the Harbor Board on Tuesday morning, rose and asked leave to make a few remarks with reference to a speech made by Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.8., regarding the members of Harbor Board. The Chairman asked if any member objected to Mr Davies speaking. No member objected. Mr Davies, after regretting Mr Smith's absence, then drew the members' attention to Mr Smith's remarks, reported in Hansard, following a speech made by Mr F. McGuire, on the question of the 200,000 acres claim on the Government. Mr Smith, after hoping that the Government would see their way to take over the harbor, stated that the present members of the Harbor Board were hostile, and he intended to fight against them at the next election. He contrasted this statement with the references made by the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in referring to the Board. The Chairman of the Chamber eulogised the members of the Board for the way they had carried out their duty as members, and this statement was endorsed by Mr R. C. Hughes, and the other members of the Chamber. He regretted that Mr Smith should have gone out of his way to stigmatise the members of the Board as hostile, and said if such a remark had any effect, in would not be in the direction of influencing the Government to grant the Board assistance. He maintained that the members had always worked in the interest of the district and harbor. The Chairman said it was the first he had heard of the matter, and he considered Mr Smith's statement was unfortunate. Judging by the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce, and general opinion, Mr Smith's remarks were not justified, and were incorrect. He considered that Mr Smith would suffer more than members of the Board through his injudicious remarks. Mr Bellringer said he was pained

when he read Me Smith's statemenf •. Mr Ward said he did not place full value on words that w- ro uttered on the evo on elaction, and in the heat of the moment. Mr Bluck said that Mr Smith must have uttered the words unthinkingly. Mr Shearer characterised the statement as an attack on the country members. The Chairman, who said he felt warmly over the matter, asked if there was any resolution. Mr Davies said that as the matter would be reported in the Press a resolution would be superfluous. There was no further discussion, and the matter dropped.—Herald.