HARBCUR BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 132, 24 February 1886, Page 2

HARBCUR BOARD.

The fiist meeting of the first elective Harbour Board took place at the Egmont Chambers yesterday, when ever}' member was present, namel} 1- , Messrs Bright and Finnerty (Patea Borough), Aitchison (Hawera County Subdivision), M. D. King (Hawcra Borough), W. C. Symes (Otoia Subdivision), W, Symes (Waverley Subdivision), and J. Gibson (Government Nominee). Mr Eyton, the Secretary, read the circular convening the meeting, and asked the members present to elect a chairman. Mr W. Aitchison proposed, That Mr John Gibson be Chairman of the Board. Mr C. Symes seconded. Mr Aitchison said in moving the resolution that he had had the pleasure of working as a member of the old board for some years under Mr Gibson as Chairman, and he did not think it was possible to get a better one. He was always close to the Board’s office, which was a great advantage in case of speedy reference being required, and was a thoroughly good business man, and had the business of the Board at his finger ends, and he (Mr A.) thought it would be very difficult to get a better person for Chairman. Mr C. Symes, in seconding the motion, said he had worked for two or three terms under Mr Gibson, and had the utmost confidence in him, and thought with Mr Aitchison the Board could not select a better man for the position. There being no amendment, the motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Gibson then took the chair, and in thanking the members for their confidence said he considered it an honor to have so gained the confidence of settlers from the extremes of the district, as well as those near home. He did not anticipate that the duties would prove particularly onerous, as he felt satisfied that he should receive every assistance from the members in conducting the business of the Board. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting of the old board were then read and confirmed.

The minutes of a special meeting held on the 6th instant wore then read, and a motion confirming then moved, when Mr M. D. King said before they were confirmed he would like t© ask a question or two about them. He would ask whether any notice of motion relative to the dismissal of the secretary had been tabled prior to that action being taken. The Chairman replied that the resolution which had been read was th; only notice given. Mr Bright thought that was scarcely the proper time to discuss the various actions taken by the old Board, as all they had to do was to confirm the minutes as being a true record of the proceeding taken at that special meeting, and had nothing to do with the busine e that was done so far as that Board .vent, as if the business done did not meet with their approval they could at once pass resolutions rescinding those then passed. Mr King would follow his former question with another and ask if that special meeting was a legal one. The Harbour Board Act staled that elective members came into office on being elected. Mr W. Syrae and himself were both elected prior to that meeting but neither of them had notice of the meeting. Mr Finnerty said it appeared to him to be ridiculous to expect them to certify to minutes being a correct record of the events of a meeting at which they were not present, none of the new members were there and how could they say the minutes were correct. Mr King replied that if the transactions enumerated in the minutes of the special meeting had taken place at an ordinary meeting ho would not have said a word, but the meeting was a special one and held after some of the successors of the old Board were elected and the others duly nominated, and the business transacted at the meeting was of a most peculiar nature as upsetting the entire construction and order of the Board’s business just a few days before the new Board came in. It was certainly entirely at variance with the spirit if not with the letter of the Act, and he would move as an amendment, That the minutes of the special meeting held on the 6th February be not confirmed until a future meeting of this Board. Mr Bright, in speaking to the resolution, thought that the amendment would not get over the difficulties alall.lf they could confirm the minutes at any future meetthey could do so now. It was the principle of tiro thing that he went on. So far as the business done was concerned, they could reverse all that without any difficulty. Personally, he did not intend to vote on the motion at all, and thought that—to put it in ils very mildest form—the action of the late Board, as taken in the special meeting, was the reverse of courteous to a new Board on the very eve of taking office as they held a meeting, and disturbed the whole internal working of the Board’s business, and then asked the new Board to confirm it, and this, he for one, was by no means prepared to do. The amendment by Mr King was not seconded, and the original motion was then put, and not being decided on the voices, a division was called for, which resulted as follows : Ayes (for the confirmation of the minutes) —Messrs C. Symes, W. Aitchison, and J. Gibson. Noes : Messrs Bright, King, Finnerty, and W. Symes., The motion was therefore declared lost.

Mr Bright moved, That the matter of solicitor to the Board, and Mr G. D. Ham'erton’s letter be referred to a committee, to consist of the Chairman, W. Symes, and the mover, to report at the next meeting. Seconded by Mr M. D. King. Mr Gibson moved as an amendment, That the legal business of the Board be given to Mr Hamerton until further notice. Mr W. Sjmies seconded. Mr Bright thought it the best plan to place the matter in the hands of a committee who would take steps to make all necessary enquiries, and make such appointment as they thought most desirable. Mr Gibson thought that the Board may just as well make the appointment at once, Mr Hamerton had formerly been solicitor to the Board, and they had hever had any reason to complain, indted, when the solicitorship was changed it was simply with the idea of preventing a monopoly, and the Board did not at the time remember that Mr Hamerton hnd been appointed as Board’s solicitor, but were under the impression he simply acted when requested to do SO. Mr Aitchison would support Air Gibson’s amendment as no doubt a certain amount of discourtesy bad been shewn towards Mr Hamerton, as although the Board bad not the slightest complaint against him he had had no notice whatever of his dismissal, but simply a resolution passed that the Board’s legal business be conducted by Messrs Barton and Knight till further notice, The committee could of course investigate if they wished, but they would come to the same point exactly as they were at present with a month’s time wasted, and he thought it scarcely advisable to delay

appointing a solicitor for a month. The amendment was then put and carried nem con. Mr King would like to ask if any reserve rents had boon fixed on for the leases which were to be offered at auction. The Chairman said there were some matters with regard to these leases that would require looking into, and the reserves could be fixed at same time, the matter of Chapman’s leases particularly. Mr Bright said he understood the seeretaiy to read that the Board had not made any specific claim on Chapman’s estate and would like to know if he understood correctly. The Chairman explained that the Board had had the leases valued as at the present time, and then had calculated the loss sustained by the Board by the loss of the tenant, and intended claiming for the amount so ascertained, The Deputy Official Assignee had informed them that the estate would pay 20s in the £, and that the rent claim would be paid on that basis. Wharfinger’s report was read, which referred to a few small matters, required for repairing the wharf and yards, but as no motion receiving or adopting it was moved, it was not discussed. Accounts were then read and laid on the table, when, after some discussion Mr W. Symes moved and Mr C. Symes seconded, That Messrs Wanklyn and Bate’s claim of £3 3s for preparing Rate Roll for Hawera Borough and Hawera Subdivision stand over until next meeting, and that the Secretary write them slating that the rolls are incomplete, and the Board refuses to pay the claims as they consider same excessive. Mr Aitchison then moved, That the other account as read be passed for payment, which was carried unanimously. The most convenient day for meeting was then discussed, and on the motion of Mr King, seconded by Mr W. Symes, it was resolved, That the Board meet monthly on the third Tuesday of each month, at 2 p.m. The Chairman then explained at some length the position of the lease of Section No. 135, Whcnuakura, and how it came to be withdrawn from the sale advertised, and the application of Mr Mercer for a completion of his lease was considered, and Mr King moved, That the application of Mr Mercer of the 30th January, 1836, relative to lease, be acceded to, and the property be withdrawn from sale. Mr Bright seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously, and Mr Bright moved, That Mr Haraerton be informed that the Board is prepared to execute the lease refered to only to Mr Mercer, Mr W. Symes seconded, and it was agreed to. Mr King then moved, That Messrs Finnerty, Bright, and the Chairman be a committee to fix the reserves on the leases about to be sold, which Mr Aitchison seconded, and the Board agreed to. While on (he subject Mr King said he would like to know what steps were taken to publish the sale of leases. The Secretary stated that the law required them to be advertised for 2 months prior to being offered, and the instructions given to the auctioneer were to advertise them once a fortnight during that time. Mr King thought advertising once a fortnight during two months was scarcely what the law meant by “ advertising for two months,” and he thought that at anyrate towards the close of the time they should be advertised more frequently.

The Chairman said instructions would be given to the auctioneer to give effect to Mr King’s suggestion. Some lengthy discussion then took place as to the confirmation of the appointment of the wharfinger made by the late Board at its final special meeting, when the action of the old Board, in using the last few days of its existence in endeavouring to introduce a total 'reform in its internal working, was the subject of very decidely adverse and uncomplementary criticism, though as was to be expected the old members supported their action ; Mr Aitchison moving that the appointment of the wharfinger made at last meeting be confirmed, in doing so stated that the Board had carefully considered the pro’s and con’s of the position, and had decided that if it was necessary to have a man there to look after it. They had secured the services of a thoroughly suitable man at a very reasonable salary, but the peculiar position assumed by the new Board with reference to the business transacted at the special meeting placed the matter in an unsatisfactory position, and he would like to see the appointment confirmed, or if they would not confirm it then upset it, not leave it in its present position. But if the Board decided to keep both wharfinger and secretary it meant a lot of money going out for salaries, and he thought they should either close up the wharf and store and continue the office in town, or close the town office and do all business at the store on the wharf.

Mr C. Syme spoke strongly in favour of confirming the appointment and the Chairman also spoke in favour of it. Mr Bright, however, thought it an open question whether the Board could collect wharf duos for 2£ per cent, which was what the Railway Department charged for so doing, and keeping the wharf open was simply the Board keeping an opposition against themselves and making two places to collect dues at instead of one, and he thought that should be fairly considered* Mr King said they must also look at things in a business light. The present secretary was a man of undoubted ability and beyond suspicion, and he thought if the Board made a change in the way suggested it would be a very dangerous step. It is not merely a matter of taking down minutes and receiving goods for shipment but the management of the Board’s business generally Many matters with Government wanted looking after, as did also the leases, which had to be carefully watched. He wonld ask any member of *he Board whether they could tell him the revenue of the Board for the past year, or from what sources the revenue is obtained. He should most certainly object to any change being made in the existing state of things until they were satisfied it was advantageous to make such change. Mr C. Syme said that several applications were received for the position, and some at lower salaries, but the present man had been chosen as considered the most eligible. The Chairman preferred having a man who could give his whole time to the Board, as by that means statistics could be furnished for the Board’s use, and also valuation rolls prepared. After some further discussion Mr King moved as an amendment to Mr Aitchison’s motion, That the wharfinger be retained in his present position until the next meeting of the Board, when the question of Secretary and Wharfinger be considered. Seconded by Mr W. Syme and agreed to. Mr C. Syme then moved, That in view of similar works being assisted by Government in other places, this Board make application for aid in clearing the Patea River of snags, with the object of opening up the river as a means of access to lands available for settlement. Mr M. D. King seconded.

Mr Gibson spoke as to the fact of th e present snaging going on in the Wanganu River, and also the suggested application to Government for assisting to snag the Mokau River, and he understood that some good land for pasttoral purposes could be made available by such'work being carried out. Mr W. Symejspoke as to correspondence between the County Council and the Government on the subject of opening up the County, and sai! he had no doubt the County Council would bo quite willing to assist the Board in the matter, and if the Board made an application to the Council be would be very glad to bring it forward and give it what support he could, and ho had no doubt they would find the Council very willing to help in the matter. After a few other remarks Jfrom the members, the Board adjourned.