HARBOUR BOARD STAFF.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14044, 30 October 1909, Page 7

HARBOUR BOARD STAFF.

STATI'K OF THE SECRETARY. A LIVJSLY DISCUSSION. A long discussion took place al. the meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board yesterday, on the cjuestioii :>s to whether two little words "or secretary" should be allowed to remain in the schedule of duties, drawn up by a special committee, governing the harbourmaster's department. The words "or secretary" were objected to, because they occurred in such a way as to give the secretary power to give orders, to the harbourmaster in an emergency. The words occurred in clause 16 of the schedule of duties, which said that the harbourmaster shall obev all lawful commands of the Board, chairman, or secretary.

Mr Turnbull contended that this was equivalent to making the secretary lord paramount, and it would bo most improper to place him over a certificated man like Captain Tate. Mr Kollcston contended that this was putting too much power iir the hands of the secretary. Each department should bo kept separate, the harbourmaster, the engineer, and the secretary, each being supreme in his own department. This would facilitate the work, and ensure effective service. If the clause were allowed to go as it stood, the secretary might give the harbourmaster some instructions which would imperil the port. It was not a .personal matter, and should not bo l nken as such. He was speaking of the secretary—not- of Mr Bardsley personally. Important instructions should come only from the Bojjjd. - Mr Turnbull spoke to similar effect. Messrs Skinner, Young and Thew took an opposite view, contending that the secretary, as the executive officer of the Board, should have power to Kirn'instructions in case of eroereency, and in doing so,\hc would not interfere with the harbourmaster in any wav. Questions of seamanship would not be touched by him at all.

Mr Skinner proposed, and Mr Tliew seconded, that the clause stand as it was.

An amendment was proposed by Messrs Turnbull and Kollestou, that the words "or secretary" be deleted.

On'' a vole being taken six hands were held up'for, and six against. The Chairman did not caro to give a casting vote off hand, as be had no nrcredont to guide him, and bo said that lie would consult the Board's solicitor in the luncheon adjournment to see whether both words "chairman" <ind "secretarv" could- safelv be de leted. The solicitor advised against this, and the chairman then gave his casting vote as he bad voted originally, for the retention of tho words "or

Mr Turnbull thereupon moved ;v further'amendment, that the whole of clause 1R be struck out. and thereafter ensued one of the old-time acrimonious discussions, in which assertions, denials, explanations, and a challenge were voiced. Some ancient history was revived, and finally, on a vote being taken,* the proposal was lost by one vote.

Mr Turnbull then challenged Mr Young to resign his seat, and offered to eon test it against him on this question of the status of the secretary.

Mr Yriinjr said Hint was goiug from tli'- sublime In the ridiculous. Fiiilintr ni-eonlnnec of his ehulleime, Mr Turnboll moved thnfc the secretary he supplied with a macintosh and sou'-w-sler for his duties on hoard ship. The motion, however, w as m>t ppfc.

Vrom tho schedule of duties of t1"» siiiliiiK niiistor on tho dredpo, the words "or sTrotary" in relation to privine i"stnictions \v-rn deleted, tho voting in tliic cp c o heing () to 4.

Mr Yn.iiup- r""iarkp'l th=<t ho ]\fr 0->j<rio hnrl mine down to preside over this meeting.