WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13775, 16 July 1913, Page 6

WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD.

CHARGISS AGAINST MR. SIMPSON

IJULLER COUNTY COUNCIL'S SYMPATHY.

[United Press Association.]

Westport, July 35. At a meeting of tho iiuller County Council to-day Cr. Powell mado a speech condemnatory of the action of a member of Parliament in regard to ..r.*v>.-c.j n :*r. ( . !W t on tho character of Mr JUT. K-. Simpson, a member of the Council, aim iiu appointee- ot "tno Governmont on the- "Wcstport Harbour Board. He said they all knew 'Mr. Simpson as an honourable- man, and it was the duty of the Council to correct tho impression to "the contrary that had been broadcasted. He reviewed the whole "-"I in concluding .said in© Minister of Marine must bo assured that in appointing mr. bimpson to tne liOiiici lib iiuide no mistake, either as regards their colleague's inortds or capacity. , V \ Or. Hooker, who is leaving.the district to act as a No-license .advocate at Napier, endorsed tho remarks-of Mr. Powell. Ht> a^id that many a man had marks .against his* character, but these should not be thrust up against l;.i/n on every possible occasion. It did $ot matter what a man's position " might bo: if he--mado strenuous efforts to Hvo honourably, and .do what was right, and live a- clean life, tho past should] rot Ik> raked up »gainst him. He, believed.that Mr Simpson was a straightforward man, upright in all his dealings with all his ieuow men, arid the speaker sympathised with- him, his wife and family in what must be to them a painful event in their iivos. ■ The remarks were also endorsed by the chairman (Mr. McCarthy), Or. Wjilson (Crown prosecutor), Or. >>''j liams (ex-chairman, and ex-member" of W.estport Harbour Board). The following resolution was earned unanimously: "That this council deeply sympathises with Mr. Simpson, his wife, ■■and family in iliavirig the conviction for breaches of tho Licensing Act used apainst him in the manner it has been; and, further, that this council has no doubt of his honour, and that the general good conduct of Mr. Simpson entitles him to the esteem in which he is generally hold." In tnaniong the council for the remarks, and the resolution, Mr. Simpson said he was not so creatly concerned over the affair as they might have supposed, as ho was fu.ly conscious ot his own innocence in the whole matter. Ho had the esteem/of tho community in which ho lived, and had no intention to resign his position on the Harbour Board. .