Mr FRASER'S RESIGNATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13602, 23 May 1908, Page 5

Mr FRASER'S RESIGNATION.

Sincere regret writ be e*l* riewed through the whole of the harbour district. ;i." well as in tlit 1 special portion whirfi he represent*, at the- intimation given by Mr Fraser yesterday of b« intention to r*s»*« his" seat on tfa» Board. The prospect of the retirement of a memter who has acquired Mr Fraser's extensive acrtsamtance with the harbour aftVn* of South Canterbury would be a sufficient, cawe for that regret, but it wilt be intensified by the disclosure «>E »«* unsatisfactory state of b» health which has caused h«n to regard himself as an invalid unequal to the task of discharging hi* duties »» a member of *h* Board either with sat,*faction to KimseTf or with justice to bi* constituents. Mr Fra>er take* » serions view of his responsibilities, ami th«* who know hrm besti wilt nbfc expert that he will consent to. retain his .vat if ,hit* health should unfortunately preclude the

possibility of his being more than an occasional attendant at the;. Board meet- ' ings. tnangh we agree with Mr Or bell in thinking that with bis long experience he would be a more valuable member. even, if his attendance were intermittent, than anv new representative- who might take hi.-* plattr for the" remainder of hi* term of office. We feet sore that his constituents will endorse- tine action «»f the Board yesterday in inducing. Mr Fraser to hold over his resignation For a month before making hfa decision irrevocable,, and that alt "will tmrte in the hope that hy next meeting he writ feet

sufficiently recovered in hea.tr h to remain in ofifJce. Should it not he w>. Le witt

carry with him into retirement rhV genuine sympathy of the- public »in his unexpected withdrawal from the management of E..ithour affair*, and their gratitude- tW tf.»* time and energy he has devoted t»» tlt—successful development of a port witi'K in part wilt stand as the record »f Inwork.