THE POWER BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 August 1928, Page 5

THE POWER BOARD.

A REPLY TO CRITICISAI.

BY AVAIAIATE AVEST CHAIRMAN.

A reply was made by Or. E. Long to the remarks made by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, in,the course of a brief discussion on the South Taranaki Power Board and its critics, at the meeting of the AVaimato West County Council yesterday. “He (Air. Dixon) must be a wizard of finance,” said Air. Long, “because he said he had teen through the books and balance-sheets of the company and was convinced the price proposed was reasonable. He must be a wonderful man, because if he bad three months to go through he could not tell the position; only a qualified accountant could do so and give a definite idea of the value of the concern, and,” he added, T think Air. Dixon is not a qualified accountant, and it was foolish of him to make such a statement.”

The matter of the request from Otakeho and Auroa for an extension of the service to their areas was mentioned by Cr. Gamlin. He wanted to know whether the company had permission or the right to go where it liked. “Mast emphatically, no,” said Cr. Long. He could not see why the engineer of a private company should tell the people that they could get the serice, and he was so much concerned that he intended to ascertain the exact position at. once. He did not blame people for trying to get light, hut he did not want ratepayers to go to unnecessary trouble in the matter. He gave them the assurance that all possible was being done to facilitate the granting of light and power .by the board. He considered all ratepayers had every right to know the position. He ielt responsible, and could have told the people in that district what tp do. • . .

Cr. Stevenson said there had been too much obstruction. He could not divulge too much of the business, but endorsed the chairman’s remarks that e erytliing possible was being done. When the hoard functioned and all was made public tlie people would appreciate all that was being done. He was surprised at people rushing into print who knew so little about the business. DISCUSSION AT AUROA.'

COMPLEMENT TO: MR. LONG. There was a good meeting of at Auroa last night, Air H. Buxton presiding, when matters connected with the Power Board were discussed, andas the outcome of a statement made by the chairman a motion was carried: “That this meeting wishes to express cordial appreciation of the strenuous eiiorts made by the South Taranaki Fewer Board to adjust matters with the Electric Company and-undertakes to take no action likely to be detrimental to a consummation of the coartl’s scheme, leaving the question of ■installation of a scheme for Auroa in abeyance for the time being.’’ The meeting also expressed keen satisfaction with the candour with which Air. Long and the other members of the board met the representative o- tlie settlers of Auroa and gave him aIL information possible at a specially arranged interview in Hawera. Mr. Buxton said in the course of a brief statement that Air. Long had, as soon as he heard of the proposed petition, arranged the meeting and given all possible information. -- He was assured that so soon - as an arrangement had been concluded with the company, Otakeho and Auroa would he tlie first districts to be reticulated.

The settlers present expressed the greatest confidence in the hoard and the treatment given their delegate.