POWER BOARD POLICY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 125, 2 May 1925, Page 7

POWER BOARD POLICY.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP. MR ANDREW ELECTED. At yesterday’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board Mr J. B. Andrew, Mayor of Napier, was elected chairman for the ensuing year after consideration discussion. In vacating tho chair, Mr T. E. Crosse thanked tho members for the support that they had accorded him and for tho absence of faction during his term of office. He hoped that the same good feeling would bo accorded to his successor. Mr Hill, in moving that Mr R. W. Waterhouse he the chairman for tho ensuing year, said that there had been but little fruition during the year but lie was sorry to say that there had been little progress. Ho was anxious to seo more advancement made, but he realised that much time was unavoidably taken up in their preliminary works. Mr Crosse had been a most careful and cautious administrator, and he possessed the qualify that was characteristic of the county members. He had a great admirtation for Mr Andrew but thought in local government one man should not occupy more than one responsible position. Mr Andrew was on three local bodies and he did not think that it was in the interest of local government that he should be voted to the chair. He was not speaking on tho matter of efficiency but of a principle, and he thought that there might be a danger of too much official rule creeping in. which would jeopardise public liberty. If Mr Waterhouse were elected, the speaker was «ure he would use all his energies and make history for the province. Mr ,1. Ellis seconded the nomination.

Mr Crosse said ho felt confident that the members would not endorse Mr Hill’s remarks concerning Mr Andrew’. Mr Andrew’s character as a public man had been most xeniplary, and he would bo tho last to pull any strings. He (the speaker) had always found Mr Andrew most honourable and trustworthy. “I still maintain that I meant nothing personal against Mr Andrew,” said Mr Hill. Mr Andrew said that he had to take rM Hill’s remarks as being personal. He was only gory that if Mr Hill and himself withdrew from the Board tomorrow their positions would he filled by tho local bodies and ho would not have tho right to go before the ratepayers to be tried by them. Mr R. D. Kettlo then proposed Mr. Andrew for the chair, this being seconded by Father Seymour, who said that Mr Andrew had always been a most conscientious member and had tho interests of hydro-electricity at heart. Air Waterhous supported Mr Andrew ami wished to withdraw’ from the contest, but Mr Hill would not consent and on a vote being taken Air Andrew was elected by five votes to two. Mr Andrew ,in thanking the members. said he hoped io see tbc work of the Board pushed ahead, so that tho country people might enjov the game comforts <as the townspeople. Air Waterhouse, in proposing a vote of thanks to the late chairman, said that ne had sacrificed much time in carrying out the Board’s work, and he was sure that all the members appreciated the good lead that ho had given them.

Air Harvey said that ho appreciated the late chairman’s guidance. His steadying hand had had the desired effect of causing the whole question to be looked into more deeply. Air Crosse, in reply, said that he was sorry that Air Hill had thought that they had made such slow’ progres, but it promised a fine finish. The most important work wos the foundation, and he felt that when tho loan proposals were placed before the ratepayers there would bo no fear of them being turned down on account of the ground work being so well prepared. Ho felt thaT having made the first step cautiously they would have a good finish. He congratulated the Board upon having elected Air Andrew’ to the chair as he was sure that under his guidance progress would be mode. A vote of thanks was accorded to the late chairman and he was voted an honorarium at the rate of £IUO a year.