HEATED EXCHANGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32912, 22 September 1947, Page 6

HEATED EXCHANGE

POWER BOARD MEETING MR KENNEDY AND MR HAWKE A heated exchange occurred between Messrs W. C. Kennedy and P. R. Hawke at the September meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board following the > discussion on increases to salaries of the executive officers, in which Mr Kennedy had considered that the salaries of the secretary-manager and chief engineer should be equal and Mr Hawke had supported the finance committee’s recommendation that the secretarymanager should ’be paid a slightly higher salary. When the recommendation had been adopted Mr Kennedy rose and said that the differentiation made was the worst thing the 'board had ever done in its history. Mr Hawke rose to a point of order, saying that the discussion had been closed. After a few words had been passed the chairman, Mr J. F. Mayn, cut further discussion short. Mr Kennedy turned to another member of the board when he resumed his seat and addressed a remark to him, whereupon Mr Hawke rose to his feet again and, addressing the chair, said that Mr Kennedy was branding the board’s decision as a “ cowardly action.” He wanted to know whether the board would allow that. Mr Kennedy: I was merely addressing a remark to my friend here—it was not made to the board and if Mr Hawke chooses to listen in he can expect to hear something he doesn’t like. Mr Hawke continued to take exception to the remarks, and although asked by the chairman to resume his seat did not do so until Mr Kennedy finally agreed to withdraw them.