That Refund.

Opunake Times, Volume LVV, Issue 3675, 26 October 1923, Page 3

That Refund.

In connection with the agitation for a refund of money subscribed towards the cost of promoting the Oi unake Harbor Bill and for payment of expenses/incurred therewith, it is of interest, to note that at the Harbor Board meeting on Augm-t 14th, 1913, when the question was b-.in'.'- discussed, IV.r A H Moore said it was providedin the Act that promoters expenses could be pa d out of 1-.1 1. On being asked if he moved in this direction Mr Moore said that he did"' not as he was an interested party, being interested in the wharf co. 1 Mr Hughson said be understood th. 3 money subscribed was to be repaid, . Mr Lambie said that the' money for promoting the Bill was raised by public subscription and people did not look to get it back. After further discussion '"Mr A McKeown moved "That the Board agrees, when in ,funds, to pay the lawful expenses of the promoters of the Opunake Harbor Bill as pro-' vided by statute.." This was seconded by Mr Hughson, Mr Macßeynolds, (chairman) being trie only other member to vote for the motion, Messrs Lambie, Malcolm and Mac Fie voting against it. Mr Moore decaned to vote. Mr Macßeynolds said'he would notexercise/6is|:ast:ng vote aid the motion therefore lapsed At the meeting of t>e Boird on Oct gth, 1913, the matter was again brought up, Mr Hughson. moving a motion, notice of-which had been given by him "That the Board recognise the claim of preliminary expenses incurred in promoting the Opunake Harbor bill Mr Macßeynolds said the only difference in the Act and Mr Hughson's motion interpreted read "shall" pay and the Act staled "may" pay out of harbor revenue. Mr Hughson said it was the principle involved that caused him to move in the direction he had. Power was provided in (he Act. If private subscriptions had not. been forthcoming the Biil would, possibly, not ha"ve been promoted. The amount needed was' subscribed by a small section, and it was onlv right they should be protected by the Board by recognising the claim. Mr McKeown said- he would be a partaker of the plunder—if plunder it W as—and that was the reison'why he would not second Mr Hnghson's motion. The proposal had his sympathy. This motion lapsed for want of a seconder. At this stage of the meeting Mr McKeown asked if the Bo*rd was in funds, the chairman replying in the affirmative.

Mr McKeown : Well, the sooner the Board pays my expenses the better. This is the sixth time I have attended meetings and l.have served ratepayers long enough... Every ser vant, no matter his station, is worthy of his hire The bank book, subsequently pro ducsd, showed a credit balance of ' At this meeting Mr Macßeynolds, who had, it was stated, defrayed in cidenta! expenses incurred in provid ihg books, statutes, etc., out of his own pocket, retired from the chair, Mr Hughson being elected to the position at a later meeting. . The question of refunding expenses was, at the last meeting ot the Board, referred to the Auditor General and the matter will probably come up again at next Friday's meeting of the Board. Under the Act it seems that these preliminary expenses and refunds may be paid out of revenue but not out of loan money. Therefore, should the Board decide to payout nothing can be done until sufficient revenue is recovered.