The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published Every Tuesday, Thursday, AND Saturday Morning. Tuesday. May 6, 1890. HARBOR BOARD ELECTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 450, 6 May 1890, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published Every Tuesday, Thursday, AND Saturday Morning.

Tuesday. May 6, 1890. HARBOR BOARD ELECTION.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country's, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

There were two nominations on Saturday for the vacant seat on the Harbor Board, and a contest will therefore take place next week. The candidates are well known citizens, having long been connected with Gisborne, Captain Chrisp being the one and Mr H. E. Johnston the other.

We must confess that we felt considerably surprised on learning that Captain Chrisp had been nominated. He occupies a position in the public service which makes it specially necessary that he should abstain from taking part in any contest which may provoke warmth of feeling, and as agent for the Public Trustee, he is connected with that Department with which the Board has now to a great extent to deal. There would be something utterly inconsistent—if it were not actually illegal—in his being a member of the Board when there is such business to be transacted.

With regard to Mr H. E. Johnston little need be said. He has those business, qualifications and experience in dealing with finance that are most required at the present time, but he has more than that, for his knowledge of harbor matters makes him M*el 1 qualified as a “ practical” member. It has been hinted by the party on the Board with which Captain Chrisp (if elected) would identify himself that a further increase in wharfage dues may be necessary, and as Mr Johnston would well know the disastrous effect of such a further impost, he would bring to bear the knowledge he possesses in an endeavor to avoid such a disaster, and also to avert any increase in rates. But the negatives against his opponent are so effective that a man with less experience than Mr Johnston would be more acceptable than Captain Chrisp while he occupies the position of agent to the Public Trustee. No ratepayer would wish him to sacrifice that position in a desire to serve them, but his nomination to the Harbor Board is a matter of free choice, and with Mr Johnston in the field we hardly think he will force on a contest.