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Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21090, 16 July 1938, Page 8

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CHAIRMAN RESIGNS RIVER BOARD PLACED IN A DILEMMA Bv Telegraph—Press Assoc’m NELSON, July 15. The tranquility of the Motueka I River Board was unexpectedly disturbed when the chairman, Mr A. E. Fry, informed members that he had been left no option but to resign the chairmanship. The decision was the outcome of a discussion in respect to a letter written by the chairman to the Minister of Public Works which resulted in a motion being carried: “That the action of the chairman in writing to the Minister of Public Works be not endorsed for the reason that board members were not consulted about the matter under dispute.” The chairman expressed the opinion that expert advice was required In connection with the erosion that was 1 taking place, and with this in view lie had instructed the secretary to write the Minister of Public Works. Mr H. J. Trewavas, as chairman of the works committee, said lie had suggested the chairman's course of action. The chairman said it was unfortunate in the letter that his own views had been set out. He had been endeavouring to obtain without expense the best deal for the board. No member of the board or any one else could say he had ever interfered or endeavoured to carry on the work of the board on his own. Mr B. T. Rowling said he had not found fault with the letter but in writing to the Minister. He did considei’ that the letter should have the full accord of the board. The secretary, Mi- A. L. Kirk, said that a peculiar position had arisen and another chairman could not be elected until a further meeting had been called. In the meantime an acting chairman could be appointed. In the absence of the chairman the meeting would have to be adjourned. Mr Fry impressed upon the meeting the necessity of considering the estimates without delay. With a view to proceeding with the business and allowing members to talk the matter over, the secretary adjourned the meeting for 10 minutes. As no agreement could be reached at the end of that period in regard to an acting chairman, all the members declining nomination, the secretary adjourned the meeting until July 21.