SOUTHLAND POWER

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1936, Page 4

SOUTHLAND POWER

Government Takes Over SCHEME OVER CAPITALISED. (Per Press Association) INVERCARGILL, October 12. Southland Electric Power Board, the first Power Board in New Zealand, went out of existence to-day, after controlling the province’s electricity supply for I-I years. A series of resolutions, mostly carried at the meeting of the Board to-day without discussion, provided for the transfer of the Board's funds and other ot' the Board’s business to the Public Works Department. Much of the t ine of the meeting was devoted to speeches expressing the thanks of the Board to the staff for its co-operation over the period of years. The meeting was attended by Mr F. T. M. Kissel. Chief Electrical Engineer, of the Public Works Department. Mr Kissel said that the Board and staff had been faced with a difficult position, and had done their very best to make a success of things. From the start, the Monowai scheme had been over capitalised, and the only way to make the scheme pay was to increase the sales capacity of the plant. The Board had intended to extend the scheme, while the Government intended to bring more power from the ex'sting State systems. This Was the crux of the matter. Actually, the Southland (Power Board had more miles of service lines under its control than the Government. This had led to financial difficulties, but, though it was n debatable point, he was not at all sure that extensions carried out had not been wise. It was noticeable, however, that the average consum'pton in Southland was appreciably lower than that in other parts of the Dominion.

“It is not intended to make, many drastic changes.” he said. “The staff have conducted the business of the Board efficiently during the past years, and are capable of carrying on for a further period.” The Government hud to deal with big staffs, and its methods differed as a. result, but he could promise them that, if they gave good service, they would not suffer by the change of control.