POWER AUTHORITIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1946, Page 6

POWER AUTHORITIES

POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION CHANGES WEST COAST AMALGAMATION The proposal for the amalgamation of the Westland Power Board with the Grey Electric Power Board, coupled with the fact that the latter board is already a supplying authority for the Reefton district, has given rise to considerable speculation as to the future constitution of the Grey Board. The Inangahua County, portion of which was served by the Grey Board before the recent extension to Burke’s Creek and the township of Reefton, has already one representative on the Grey Board, but the remaining representation is at present confined to the boroughs of Greymouth (four), Ruhanga and Brunner (one each) and the County (two). The basis of this representation is the population and the rateable values of the areas served by the board and it appears likely that, if a new combined district is to be constituted, there would be some change in the composition of the board with the possibility that there may be some amalgamation and re-alloca-tion of present voting areas.

Provisions of Act.

The Electric Power Boards Act provides that the total number of members for a board cannot be fewer than five or more than 12. The Grey Board has nine members, so that it is possible to increase the membership by three. Whether or not this action is to be taken and, if so, the allocation of the additional seats will undoubtedly provide scope for differences of opinion in the respective areas. The Act also provides that the number- of representatives for each constituent district shall be such as is determined from time to time by the Governor-General by Order-in-Council, having regard, in such manner as he thinks fit, to the relative populations of those districts, to the relative value of rateable property therein, and to all other relevant considerations. To date, the Grey Electric Power Board has not levied rates over its area and, therefore, the considerations for voting would be population and rateable values.

As the centre of population in the proposed combined district, Greymouth would probably retain its present proportionate representation on a new board, but the inclusion of two other centres, Hokitika and Reefton, would probably prejudice the comparative voting strength of the smaller boroughs, while the inclusion of two additional counties would also indicate the possibility of a change. The amalgamation of boards can be brought about only by the Gover-nor-General’s assent to special orders passed by the boards concerned, as indicated by the statement on the present negotiations issued by the chairman of the Grey Board, Mr. J. B. Kent. He did not deal expressly with the constitution of a new united board but undoubtedly as in the case of amalgamation, the Governor-General would require recommendations from the boards concerned, by means of special orders.

This would mean that the existing Grey Board and the Westland Board, although the lastnamed has had limited functions, would have to discuss and decide upon the allocation of seats'on the new body. The position in regard to Reefton is somewhat different from that of Westland. No power board has existed in Reefton, the supplying authority—the oldest in the Dominion—being a private, profit-making company. Purchase of the company’s assets means its elimination as a power supply authority and the question of representation did not directly enter into the negotiations. Neverthelss, with the adding of a major portion of the Inangahua county to the Grey Power Board’s area, it is to be expected that residents of that area would be given equal representation on a new board designed to administer the complete power board area. Legal Considerations.

It is interesting to note, in connection with the procedure to change the representation, that the Inangahua County Council recently obtained legal opinion on the possibility of an alteration of riding representation. This appears to be a parallel case and the opinion of the solicitor to the New Zealand Counties’ Association was that a change would necessitate the passing of a special order by the existing council. The council would have to take into consideration the rateable values of the respective ridings and also the number of electors. The Counties Act did not say that either factor . was predominant and it was his opinion that the matter was at the discretion of the council.

Similar procedure in regard to a new Grey Electric Power Board following amalgamation with Westland, would mean that the existing Grey and Westland boards would have to pass a special order recommending the basis of representation. With the natural desires of the various districts to have their own interests fully safeguarded there would appear to be scope for full discussion. Also, there is the possibility that some members of the board would have to vote upon a motion which contemplated the modification or elimination of their own electorates.