DISPUTE OVER POWER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 283, 27 August 1935, Page 5

DISPUTE OVER POWER

Suggestion to Hospital Board CUTTING-OFF OF SUPPLY Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, August 26. The contentious question of the power dispute between the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board and the Palmerston North City Council was given fresh light at a meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board this afternoon, when a letter camo forward suggesting that, the Palmerston North Hospital should take its supply direct from the power board. A letter received from the Rangiotu branch of the Amalgamated Farmers' Union stated that the branch, and ratepayers represeutiug Glen Oroua. Taikorea, Mangawhata, Bainesse, and Rangiotu, had decided to forward the following resolution to the board: “That the Palmerston North Hospital Board consider the advisability of obtaining its light and power direct from the Mana-watu-Oroua Electric Power Board.” “I think you had better leave this,” said the ehairman, Mr. J. K. Hornblow, who added that the position in dispute was to be dealt, with in the Supreme Court!

Mr. J. Boyce said that the idea was that the hospital should be supplied direct, and he moved that the secretary should be instructed to furnish to the board a report on the amount of power used bj- the hospital board. He would not advocate the board paying more for its power;, probably it would obtain it at a lower rate. The chairman: It is an unfortunate fact that we are paying more to the Mauawatu-Oroua Power Board than we are being charged by tile city council. In reply to a question by Mr. A. E. Mansford. Mr. Boyce stated that there were some 40 or 50 present at the Rangiotu meeting. It was the opinion of Mr. G. A. Monk that they would get themselves into a mess if they proceeded with the matter at nresent. He thought they should first of a'll take steps to ascertain what power they had to take electrical energy from the power board. The legal position should be sought, as there were regulations laid down by the Public Works Department and the board must keep within the bounds. Mi’. Monk moved qs au amendment that information be obtained from the Public .Works Department as to what regulation would allow the board to obtain its sunnlv direct.

Mr. Boyce said tho power board held a license to supply power to any place within the city. The amendment was carried nt this stage. A. letter was neat read from Ike Minister of Health, lion. Sir Alexander Young; in reply to a letter from the board. He stated that he had discussed with the Minister of Public Works, the cutting-off of the supply of light and power at the Palmerston North Hospital on tho night of Sunday. July 14. The Minister of Public Works had replied tnat as the supply of power to the hospital was primarily a matter for tho Palmerston North C.ty Council, it would appear that the board should first of all prosecute inquiries from that authority. As the Public Works Department had no record of failure of power, for distribution was essentially one foj- local authorities licensed for that purpose, it did not, at this stage, appear that any special action by the Government was necessary.

“That is an extraordinary letter, in view of a statement made by the Minister,” said Mr. A. E. Mansford, who added that his statement did not coincide with the letter now before the board. Mr. V. E. Smith thought the letter was just what was to be expected. It had puzzlefl him as to why they were asking for an inquiry when the matter was one for the power board and the city council. The city council had eontraeted to supply the hospital with light and they had not done it. Mr. Ilornblow: It is our duty to ascertain the cause of the cutting off. It was maintained by Mr. Smith that the city council knew perfectly well that the light was going to be cut off. The council had every right to see that the lights were kept on. Tho city council, under the pica that the charge asked was too high, he said, did not seem to care whether there was sickness or anythin),' else at the hospital. Mr. Mansford read statements mud“ by servants of the city council concerning the information which the council had with regard to the cutting off of power supply. Mr. J. Boyce: Mr. Mansford is doing his best to put the blame on to the power board. The power was left there for the city council to take it. Because the charge was considered too high the city council left everything in darkness. It was suggested by Mr. Ilornblow that to safeguard the patients they should communicate with the city council asking that if there was any difference in the future the hospital should not bo cut. off.