WATER POWER.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3647, 2 December 1918, Page 1

WATER POWER.

THE NEW BILL'S DISTRICTS AND BOARDS.

The Electric-Power Boards Bill provides for the construction or purchase of works for the generation, transmission, and supply of electrio power by boards elected for this purpose.

CONSTITUTION OF AREAS

By petition of at least one-fourth of the ratepayers, an area may be constituted an electric-power district. Several such districts may be combined.

A board will consist of not fewer than five nor more than twelve members, who will elect a chairman at tho first meeting. The representatives of the board will be elected in the same manner and at the same time as members of the local authority. Any casual vacancy will bo filled by the local authority of the district.

Meetings of the board will be open to the public unless, "for sufficient cause," the board decides to exclude strangers.

POWERS OF A BOARD

The principal powers of a board are: —

Appointment of officers and servants.

Borrowing in accordance with the provisions of the Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1913.

Lovying of any general, separate or special rate on the improved or unimproved ' value of all rateable property to meet any excess of expenditure over income.

Borrowing by overdraft in anticipation of income.

A board must not purchase nor construct electric works without the consent of the Governor-General in Council.

A board may enter into a contract with the Minister of Public Works for tho construction or maintenance of electric works by the Public Works Department at the cost and charge of the board.

THE STATE AS CAESAR

The Governor-General has boundless power in the Bill. He may authorise the inspection of works and may require alterations or additions. He is entitled to acquire a board's works by giving twelve months' notice in writing. If a board is guilty of inexcusable delay in the prosecution of its purpose the Governor-Gen-eral may assume possession and control, subject to a board's right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the exercise of His Excellency's powers.

DEENDENT INDUSTRIES

"With the consent of the GovernorGeneral in Council, a board may, within the district, establish or assist in the establishment of electro-chemi-cal, electro-metallurgical, or other industries which may be dependent upon or more eectually prosecuted by the use of electric energy, and may do all things which it deems necessary to encourage such industries within the district."