WAITEMATA POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 116, 18 May 1932, Page 7

WAITEMATA POWER.

NEW CHAIRMAN OF BOARD. MR. W. R. T. !EIGHTON ELECTED. KEEN LOCAL BODY MEMBER. At the annual statutory meeting of the Waitemata Electric Power Board this morning at the board's offices, Albert Street, Mr. W.. R. T. Leighton was unanimously elected chairman. Messrs. W. A. Bishop and H. Day, the new county members, took their seats for the first time.

Mr. Leighton was proposed by Mr. J. Mackie, one of the senior members of the board. Mr. Mackie referred to Mr. Leighton's long association with local body government and •to Ms sterling work on the board, of which he had been a member since its inception. The old members of the board were fully aware of Mr. Leighton's many qualifications flor the position of chairman, and Mr. Mackie felt sure that the new members were also well aware of his services on the board and in other capacities. When he came to consider the deciding factors in the choice of a chairman, said Mr. Mackie, he came to the conclusion that they were merit and

seniority, of which he unhesitatingly placed merit first. A member of a local body might be the very best of members, yet he might be temperamentally uniittcd to take the important position of chairman, who required many gifts other than ability to make a success of the post. He felt sure that Mr. Leigh ton had the necessary qualifications, including tact, judgment and long experience of" local body government, and that under his rule and guidance the Waitemata Power Board would enjoy a eirccessful term. Wherever the duties of the new chairman would take him he would carry them out with dignity and ability.

Mr. Leighton returned brief thanks for the honour the members had done him and assured them that he would do his very best to merit their confidence. He was sure no chairman could assume office with a more capable and enthusiastic set of members.

Mr. Leighton has been a resident of Henderson, an important area of the board's district, for the past 55 'years, having gone there with his parents in 1877. ° He has seen the township and district grow practically from scrubland to its present fertile and prosperous condition. When he first went to Henderson there were not more than half a dozen houses between the Wliau Creek and the township. He was closely identified with all the local activities _of Henderson, and for a very long period was chairman of the Town Board, a position he relinquished only a few years ago. On the Waitemata Power Board his wide knowledge of the scattered areas tapped by the board's system of reticulation has been of great assistance, and his election to the chairmanship will give great satisfaction to the board's customers.

One room of a six-roomed house.at 10, Vermont Street, City, ™"£«« r by fire early this morning. * dvre ii-. room was slightly damaged- ovnie d ing, unoccupied at tJf $ n |W, Cft£ _ by Mrs. Arthur, Of W" baD dled *»• / he city brigade guK*V situation. .