POWER BOARD MATTERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 9 March 1928, Page 5

POWER BOARD MATTERS

WORK IN SOUTH TARANAKI. STATEMENT BY BOARD MEMBERS The matter of the -South Taranaki Power Board and the announcement made two days ago as to giving notice to take over the operations of the Electric Light Company, was referred to at the meeting of the Waimate West County Council yesterday by the chairnan and Or. Stevenson, who represented the council on the board. “1 want to thank the councillors, ” said the chairman, “for the way in which you have waited to see what was going to happen about the board and the company. No councillor has ever asked me or Cr. Stevenson»for details of the work done and indeed we could not reveal the work of the board because it was confidential.’’ ■Or. Stevenson endorsed the chair man’s remarks, saying it was very gratifying to them as delegates, that the council trusted them absolutely “I may say,” he continued, “that v\ <> explored every avenue in the interests of the board. Keeping in mind this district, which had not been receiving the facilities to which it was entitled. The company, he said, had given good service to the inner area, but not outside, and it was amazing to see the extension work done since the power board had been formed. The reason o± the formation of the board was a security to ratepayers and so far they had kept clear of a rate, except the small one of one-eighth of a penny in the £ to cover the preliminaiy expenses. • The total so far, he added, had been about £3OOO. Th position was that: people were demanding power and light, and he was satisfied that, as. the result or careful inquiry and aided by expert advice, they would be able to give these facilities at. a cheaper rate than at present. Their objective always was to keep clear of rates and he was certain this would be achieved. The chairman said the -board had been blamed for not giving details of wlnat was happening, but he reminded ratepayers that it was only last September when they had the right to take over the company, and they had lost nc time in making arrangements. they hoped in the future to give all possible publicity to the work. The matter had to o-o to arbitration -and then to the Loans Board and lastly to the people. In reply to -Sir Wm. Le Fleming, Cr Lon" said that the company could not £rive° sufficient power', but the operations had to be extended. This would be made public later. Cr Stevenson referred to the criticism by Mr Carter and said that he did not understand the position. Thejwere going to deal with the Government for their current and they hoped to function over the whole of the district to the Whenu-akura. To do that they must obtain extra power and could buy outside at a very cheap rate. Cr Long s aid they would get the power necessary to supply the whole area at a lower price. Cr Stevenson paid a tribute to tne fine work of the engineer. Mr Overton. who had had a great record ot work in other places. . ~ , Cr Sir TTT -" Le Fleming said that undoubtedly they hncl been behind the times in the country round Otakeho, whereas more sparsely settled districts had had all the facilities. Cr. Ste.vcson added that, nothing had leaked out from the board table and the members had been a fine body of men with whom to work. In conclusion Cr. Stevenson said that so soon as the operations, were completed, reticulation of the district would be “almost instantaneous.” The engineer knew his work and had already got affairs moving! “I hope,” added the chairman “that this thickly populated district will soon have 'all the facilities they require; it will undoubtedly be a great, boon ta all.”