THE NEW HARBORS ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3110, 5 January 1911, Page 2

THE NEW HARBORS ACT.

HOW MEMBERS OE LOCAL BOARD ARE AFFECTED.

How members of the Gisborne Harbor Board will bo afferted by the Harbors Amendment Act, which came into force on January Ist, is a question which lias been exciting some public interest recently. A ' "Times' ’ representative yesterday ’ sought- some information on the subject from the Chairman of the Board, Mr. John Townlcy, who holds strongly that the clause relating to the disqualification of members, and which has been extended considerably bv the recent legislation, is altogether too drastic. The present members to be affected are the Chairman, Messrs G. Matthewsnn, J. H. Kells, and the Hon. Captain Tucker. At first it was thought, Mr. Town ley explained', that the members affected would have to retire at once, but special provision was made in the Act to enable them to retain.their scats until the date of the elections, which- by the way, will be on clie same day as the Borough elections—the last ■ Wednesday in April. Members of the Board however, who are members of any company, would have to resign immediately upon agreeing to authorise any payment to that firm, amounting to £25 for a month, and the limit is fixed at £SO per annum.

Air. Townley and Air. Alatthowson. who occupy seats on the directorate of the Gisborne Gas Co., will be concerned, in so far as the company supplies gas for the a lamps on the wharf, etc., amounting to considerably over the stipulated amount. Air. Kells, and the Hon. Captain Tucker are in a similar position in regard to Common, Shelton and Co.,j.which, linn has a contract, extending over two years, for the supply of stores, materials, etc., to the Board.

Air. John Clark, ond Air. C. J. Parker, who are directors• of the Gisborne Sheepfarmors Frozen Ateat Co., Ltd., are not affected at all, Air. Townley claims, as tlrcir firm has no contract with the Board,, the only business done between the two bodies being tlfo towage of the dredge Alaui’s punts out to sea by the company's lighters, and inr which they wen* paid a sum m the vicin - ity of £2OO. This however, it was planted out, was not a recurring account, and no other transactions leave taken place with the company. Asked as to the course which, would be followed by the members affected, Air Townley stated tint so far as lie was aware, none of them would do anything for the present, at any rate until after next meeting.of the Board, on the last Monday of this month. ‘As- far. as I am personally concerned,” be concluded, “my present intention is to resign my connection with the Gas Go., in order to he able to devote my attention to harbor matte-s. *