ONCE A QUARTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3153, 5 August 1942, Page 4

ONCE A QUARTER

NOT MONTHLY MEETINGS POWER BOARD PROPOSAL NOT FAVOURED BY MEMBERS A suggestion that in future the Thames Valley Electric Power Board meet only once a quarter was made by Mr C. C. Webb (Paeroa) at the monthly meeting of the board on Tuesday.

Mr Weibb pointed out that the Government was appealing to all to conserve tyres and petrol and as there seemed to be little business for the board t‘o attend to each month meetings could be held quarterly, thereby saving a good deal in travelling in bringing members to and from the meetings. The management, he stated, was thoroughly capable and if the manager’s report was circulated to members each month they would be kept abreast with developments. At present there seemed very little business for members to deal with, pointing out that only three letters were before the board that day. Any urgent matter could be dealt with by the Finance Committee, while a quarterly meeting would be sufficient for the remainder of the business. m

A Lead Wanted

Mr P. R. Hawke said that the question had been considered some two months ago and the then iPaeroa representative, the late Mr F. E. Flatt, had strenuously opposed a proposal for meetings every twq months. Mr Flatt had stated that as a representative of the people he would not delegate his power to others.

Mr J. F. Mayn said he considered that the Government should give a lead in the matter. He agreed, that all possible steps should be taken to conserve tyres and petrol as long as the consumers’ interests did not - suffer. He considered it was a matter for the Government to bring all local bodies into line. Mr H. M. Corbett stated that before he would agree to any change in the period of the meeting he would require to give the question a lot of consideration. Much could happen in two months and the ratepayers looked to the members to look after their interests. Mr J. Pohlen said that in his opinion the holding of meetings at longer intervals might be the first step towards. the running of local bodies by commissioners, taking away the present democratic system. He urged that the monthly meetings be continued. Might Affect System

Mr W. ,S. Goosman agreed with Messrs Pohlen and Corbett that the meetings should be held monthly. Board members as the elected representatives of the ratepayers should not be the first to pull down the present democratic system. Continuing, Mr Goosman questioned whether the. Government was serious in its endeavour to conserve rubber and petrol. He then quoted an instance of a Public Works Department truck travelling from <Paeroa to Motumaoho to cart metal and then returning in the evening. “I doubt myself that the Government is serious in its endeavour to save tyres and petrol. We should wait until the Government gives us a direction in the matter,” he urged.

Mr Webb said that it was not his wish to break down the present democratic system but it was ; the duty of all to make a genuine effort to save rubber and petrol. Referring to the Public Works Department truck travelling to Motumaoho from Paeroa, Mr Webb said two wrongs did not make a right and because such a truck was operating it was no reason why the board should not endeavour to conserve supplies. “If the holding of a quarterly meeting was justified as a war effort the board should do so but if it was not then the board should run along as it is at present,” concluded Mr Webb. The matter was then dropped.