Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1934. GREY POWER BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1934. GREY POWER BOARD.

JTIB Grey Power Board had a good year in the period covered by the annual report, present'd at last evening’s meeting, and those responsible are to be congratulated. Consumers welcomed the reduction of Hie lighting unit rate, as well as the return of the initial deposits, and their gratitude will be accompanied by expectation of further favours when circumstances permit. Financially, members of the Board express satisfaction with the position, and on the information made public, this attitude seems warranted. The advisability of a reserve fund io meet possible leaner days, should need little emphasis. The Board’s new headquarters were not .prematurely instituted, and the business should now be conducted with greater convenience to staff and public. The Board has been able to dispose of its old plant etc., and preliminary fears about the hydro-works have proved groundless. The demand for power and lighting is increasing in town and country, and if some of the requirements by the golddredging concerns may prove temporary, there seems no reasonable doubt that the Board will be able to dispose of all the current it may generate. Country districts are being increasingly brought into the supply fold, and 4 generally, despite the deficit, the achievements and Hie immediate outlook are

satisfactory. Mr. J. Mulcare will be able to look back on a memorable year as chairman, and his successor, Mr. W. Clayton, must be hopeful about continuing the good work'. As a country member, he will be able Io keep prominent the needs of rural dwellers, where electricity supply is concerned, and his experience on local bodies should help him in his new’ post of authority. It is to lie hoped that all members of the Board will help him to maintain a greater sense of dignity than has been the custom of late. The Power Board meetings have had too much a “vaudeville” touch being easily first in this rasped among district local bodies. Mr. Mulctin', in his annual report, “extended his thanks to the Press for the manner in which our proceed-

: ings have been reported.” It is doubtful if the publicity thus ac1 claimed —necessary and desirable as it was to inform the public of lhe procedure at the meetings—was such as to make Board members really thankful, and it is 1o be hoped that there will be less personal exchanges and doubtful compliments at the forthcoming meet-

ings. The proneness of the Power Board to reserve for “committee” what would be equally well done at open meetings is another factor lor criticism. The public which the Board represents, has the right to full and timely information, and this right should be respected.