Board Room and Offices,

Colonist, Volume XLV, Issue 10407, 13 May 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

Board Room and Offices,

Mr Bestj in accordance with notice of motion, moved that the Board take into consideration the advisableness of building a suitable board room and offices at the Port.

. Speaking to the motion, Mr Best said that the time had come for the Board to have a room to meet in, and also more convenience for keeping books, papers, etc. He favored the Railway Department being written to, and asked upon what terms the Board * could have a portion of the Railway Wharf reclamation ground adjoining the Union S.S. Company's offices for the purpose of erecting suitable offices. . The Chairman said that if Mr Best would withdraw his motion, he would move, one that he believed would meet with unanimous approval. The Board had already a small office adjoining the Railway Wharf (the Harbormaster's office), and they had a right to this _site, he understood, therefore he, if Mr Best, withdrew i his motion, wonld move— " That . it j is desirable to enlarge the Harbor-] master's Office by the addition of a: room suitable for Board meetings, j and that if necessary the consent of the Railway Department be obtained i for that purpose. " . ! Mr Best said that this quite coincided with his ideas, and he would withdraw his motion, and second that of the Chairman, which was \ carried unanimously. Members' Travelling Allowances. Mr Best, in accordance with notice of motion, moved that in future travelling allowances be allowed at the rate of one shilling per mile one ,way, in no case to exceed £5 on one occasion. The Chairman asked on what authority Mr Best relied. Mr Best said that he understood that payment of travelling expenses was provided for by the Act. A short discussion was interrupted by Mr Hanby raising a point of order, and asking whether in view of the Harbor Act the motion was not ultra vires. The Chairman said that upon a point of order his ruling must be final, and he gave a ruling which he had placed in writing, having carefully looued' up the matter before hand, as follows:— The motion therefore was ruled out of order, and the former resolution as to the payment of members travelling allowances also* declared to be ultra vires. It will therefore be necessary for members in future to present vouchers of the expenses actually incurred in attending the particular meetings STDGClficci f - . The Chairman's ruling was ac-. cepted, he agreeing with other members that the decision of what constituted a reasonable amount for travelling expenses was to be decided by the Board when accounts came before it. By-Laws. At half past two a special general meeting, according to notice given, was held to confirm the by-laws as uiiieaued, deal lag with harbor light dues and port charges. The by-laws, as amended, were duly confirmed. The Board rose at 6.15 p.m.