NO-CONFIDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20479, 4 December 1934, Page 12

NO-CONFIDENCE.

Waimakariri Harbour Board’s Action. CHAIRMAN REBUKED. There were some lively scenes at a meeting of the Waimakariri Harbour Board held at Kaiapoi last evening, when the discussion over the alleged inefficient working of the port was resumed. There were present: The chairman (Mr R. F. Joyce), Messrs J. Bryden, H. Rinaldi. W. A. Young, J. A. Mealings, J. Hirst and Dr M. RamThe secretary of the Marine Department, Wellington, in reply to the board’s inquiry for particulars received by the department as to the inefficiency of the working of the port on the part of the signalman and the placing of the bar beacons, referred to the second part of its letter of October 23, in which it stated that, on account of the beacons not being properly placed in June last, the Foxton touched the bar. A subsequent examination showed that the outer beacons were not covering the channel. On being questioned by members, the chairman admitted writing to the ! Marine Department without consulting | the board. The chairman read the letter which he had forwarded and in which he complained of the inefficiency of the signalman and the lack of interest shown by the Government representatives on the board. Members’ Objections. Messrs Rinaldi and Mealings, the Government members, took strong exception to the contents of the chairman’s letter. Both considered that he had exceeded his duties in writing to the department without consulting members of the board. Mr Mealings proposed and Mr Hirst seconded a motion of no-confidence, which was carried. The chairman, in vacating the chair, xemarked that the harbour was being closed because the shipping companies had no confidence ir. the board. Dr Ramsay (deputy-chairman) took the chair and was subsequently elected chairman. Mr Mealings was elected de pu ty-chairman. The board decided to make a Christmas present of 10s to each relief worker on the board’s pay sheet at Christmas.