OPUNAKE POWER BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 3

OPUNAKE POWER BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

MR. C. A. TROTTER UNOPPOSED

Evidence that ■ during his term of office as chairman of the Opnhake Electric Power Board Air. O. A. Trotter has discharged his duties with a zeal and efficiency which has secured the full confidence of his colleagues and justified the trust placed in him by ratepayers of the district was given at the annual meeting of rhe board on Friday when lie was re-elected nnopposed to" the chairmanship. Mr. Trotter, it will be remembered, was one of the prime movers for the formation of the Oounake Electric Power district and was elected chairman at the first meeting of the board when it was established in 1921. Throughout the trying period of the initiation of the scheme and the subsequent critical stages of its development, Air. Trotter has ably fulfilled the responsibilities of the office, and the progress made may b’e ascribed in no small measure to the whole hearted interest he has' displayed in the board’s affairs. His re-election for the fifth successive occasion will tend to show that his services are appreciated, and will doubtless afford him some measure of gratification. The meeting took place subsequent to the ordinary meeting. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT.

In a brief survey of the past year’s operations Mr. Trotter 'stated as follows:

“Ilie year just past lias been a most successful one, and has seen our scheme over jts most critical stage, asd it is now on a very sound financial basis. Owing to the fact of consumers inside the district being diffident about fink, ing up, the board, decided to extend well out into the outer area, a step which has proved itself to be a very wise one, and it lias been this step which has done most toward making our scheme pay its way. We have been distributing power now about eighteen months, and 1 think we have no equal amongst power boards in New Zealand, in so far that, in eighteen mouths from commencement of operations, we are paying our way and have only found it necessary to strike a very small rate since the scheme was started. The growth during the fast twelve mouths has been most marked, as the following figure's will show : Revenue: March, 1924, £300: March 1925, £SBO. ’ Consumers: March 1924—Motors, o 4; lighting, 304;/general, .19; March, 1925, motors, 100; lighting 428 o-en-eral, 25. ’ Reviewing the present charges, there has been little alteration, for which 1 am thankful, and I consider that the board should adhere to the present scale for a time.

New offices have been erected by the board, and tbi- the comparatively small sum which the board considerect it advisable to spend, a most commodious and up-to-date building has been erected.

1 be board’s outer area has petitioned the Government to be included in this power district, and the request has hoeu assented to. This, 1 consider is an indication what ratepayers throughout the county think of the scheme.

Financial assistance' amounting to £1515 has been given to consumers, £750 of which has been repaid. About 60 consumers have been granted assistance.

NEW OFFICES. “The new offices,” continued Air. Trotter; “were erected by Mr. W. E. (funson, of Opunake, to the plans and specifications or Mr. W. N. Stephenson, New Plymouth, and I think the board should be well pleased with the excellent building we have, which reflects great credit on architect and builder. The following figures set out the position regarding the building at present. present; Building costs £2000; land £300; furniture, etc, £200; a total of £2500. The annual charges will ! amount to approximately £250, consisting of interest and sinking fund £2OO and general expenses approximately £SO; The £75 annual rental payable by the harbour hoard for offices will reduce this annual cost to £175, the cost per week to the board being therefore £3 ss, against- which certain revenue may be expected from the hire of the hoard room for special meetings. In conclusion, I should like to express ray appreciation of the harmonious relations which have existed among the board members during the past year. I am sure all members' are earnestly, desirous of ensuring tlie success ol the scheme, and the discussions and arguments which take place in- the board room are, I consider, of great value to the board in general. “1 should like to thank the engineer, Mr. Cowley, and the secretary, Mr. .Stephenson, lor their unfailing courtesy to me on all occasions, and I think I can honestly say that the success yf the scheme is to a great extent due to their efforts. “1 trust that the yqar we are just entering upon will lie a most prosperous one.” The secretary presided during the election of the n ew chairman. On the motion of Mr. ■ Burton, seconded bv Air Chambers, Air. Trotter was re-elected unopposed. Board members were unanimous in their expression of approval of the services rendered by Air. Trotter as chairman-, and their confidence in his ability to carry o n the duties of the office. In a suitable reply, Air. Trotter again expressed his appreciation of the co-operation extended to him, and hoped that a similar spirit and success in' its undertakings would mark the future work of the hoard.