HARBOUR QUESTION

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 154, 9 July 1934, Page 5

HARBOUR QUESTION

The Coming Loan Poll WAIPAWA COUNTY DISCUSSION VOTING & PLAN OF SCHEME The question of appointing someone to exercise the council’s vote at the Harbour Board loan poll was discussed by the Waipawa County Council to-day. “It seems to me that, if we appoint someone, we will have to leave it to his discretion as to how he votes, said the chairman.

“Couldn’t we give an instruction?” asked Cr. Glenny.

The chairman: We could, but that wolud mean testing the opinion of the council first, and I am strongly opposed to giving anything in the nature of a lead to the ratepayers. If the council wished me to exercise its vote I would not do so unless I had a free hand. On the motion of Cr. Butler, seconded by Cr. Thomsen, the chairman was given authority to vote on behalf of the council and to use his own discretion. Maps of New Schemes At the commencement of the meeting, Mr A. E. Jull, M.P., sought permission. to explain to the council certain maps relating to harbour development schemes. The chairman said that, if the council heard Mr Jull, it would be giving something in the nature of a lead to the ratepayers, which he considered undesirable. It was a controversial matter, and he thought the decision should rest with the individual ratepayers. Public meetings were being held in the district, and, in his opinion, the public platform was the place for information to be given to the ratepayers. Further, the council had a busy day before’it, and he did not think it should take up its time in the way requested. However, it was for the council to decide. Cr. Glenny said that the council collected the harbour rates, and he thought the time would be well spent in hearing what Mr Jull had to say. It would not be necessary to give any decision in the matter. He moved, and Cr. Bainbridge seconded, that the council hear Mr Jull. Cr. Gray moved an amendment, seconded by Cr. Thomsen, that the council was unable to see its way to hear Mr Jull, and considered that the public platform was the proper place for such informatioin to be given. The amendment was carried. Before withdrawing, Mr Jull said that he had not wished to enter into the merits or otherwise of the development schemes, but merely to explain the maps which members had not been able to see when they visited Napier some time ago.