WESTPORT HARBOR CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3985, 16 July 1913, Page 6

WESTPORT HARBOR CASE.

AIR. SIMPSON’S POSITION

DEFENDED BY FELLOW C'OUN-

CILLOR3

[PEES3 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM} WESTPORT, July 15

At a meeting of the Buffer County Council to-day, Mr Powell made a speech condemnatory of the action of a member of Parliament in regard to the aspersions east on the character of Air W.. R. Simpson, a member of the Council, and an appointee of the Government on the AVestport Harbor Board. He said they all knew Air Simpson as an honorable man, and it was the duty of the Council to correct- tho impression to the contrary that had been broadcasted. He reviewed the whole of the circumstances and, in concluding, said the Minister for Alarine must lie assured that in appointing Air Simpson to the Board be made no mistake either as regards their colleague’s morals or capacity. The convictions of younger days—possibly the outcome of local prejudices and* biases in which Air Simpson was surrounded—must not supercede others of a lifetime.

Cr. Looker, who is leaving the district- to act as a no-license advocate at- Napier, endorsed the remarks of Cr Powell. He said many a man had had a mark against his character, but these should not be thrust up against him on every possible occasion. It did not matter wliat a man’s position might be if he made strenuous efforts to live honorably and do what was right and live a clean life. The past should not be raked up against him. He believed Air Simpson was a straight-forward man, upright in all bis -dealings with all bis fellowmen, and be sympathised with him, bis wife, and family in what must be to them a painful event in their lives. The remarks were also endorsed by the Chairman (Air AlcCarthy), Cr AA ilson (Crown Prosecutor), and Cr Williams (ex-Chairman and an ex-member of the Westport Harbor Board). A resolution was carried unanimously :

“That this Council deeply sympathises with Air Simpson and Ins wife and family in having convictions for breaches of the Licensing Act used against them in the manner it had been, and, further, that this Council has no doubt of bis honor, and that the general good conduct of Air Simpson entitles him to the esteem in which he is generally held.”

In thanking the Council for their remarks and the resolution, Air Simpson said he was not so greatly concerned over affairs as they might suppose, as he was fullv conscious of his own innocence in the whole matter. He had the esteem of the community in which lie lived and had no intention to resign his position on the Harbor Board.