“POWER BOARD HAS NOT BEEN HAMPERED”

Northern Advocate, 23 March 1937, Page 5

“POWER BOARD HAS NOT BEEN HAMPERED”

Borough Reply To Chamber Of Commerce Criticism

“A matter which, in the absence of the Mayor. I bring before you with some diffidence,,” said the deputymayor, Cr. G. H. Morrish, who presided gt the meeting of the Whangarei Borough Council last night, “is one which was' discussed at a meeting, of a public body in the town last week. I refer to statements made at the Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding the Borough Council., I do not intend to answer any of the criticisms, believing that the members of the council are Oblivious of such criticisms. “One phase, however, had a bearing on the policy of the council which has been in operation ever since the .institution of our electrical service., “It has been said,, perhaps not openly but by inference, that the council has not been helpful to the North Auckland Power Board, or, in other words, more or less an obstacle to the board.

“Candidly, in no instance from the first conference between the two bodies in 1925 to the last in 1935, has there been one suggestion by any representative of the Borough Council of criticising or obstructing the interests of introducing electricity to Northland. The utmost consideration has been given to all propositions we have received, and we have dealt with the Power Board openly and frankly. Three Considerations. “We have always abided by three considerations:^ (a) —The borough is bound by agreements which it cannot break if it wishes to.

(b)—The borough is prepared to take electricity in bulk from the Power Board over anci above its contract with Wilsons ’(N.Z.) Portland Cement Co., provided a reasonable price can be obtained.

(c) —The borough is not prepared to part with its electrical undertaking.

“At the last conference we asked the power board at what rate it would supply power in bulk. The letter was acknowledged, but no reply to the question has been received. In every matter that has come before us we have readily given our assistance. We unhesitatingly agreed to let Kamo Town Board area join up with the Power Board, and we gave the board permission to take its poles through our territory. The electrical undertaking we now enjoy in Whangarei* has been built up by foresight, energy and business ability of this council and those associated with it, until today we have one of the finest electrical supplies operating in any provincial town. * Charges Compare Favourably.

The charges, too, compare favourably with those ruling in any provincial town in the Dominion, and it is hoped, as a resttlt of inquiries being made by the Mayor on his present trip south, coupled with" a review of the department, that we will be able to bring about further reductions still. “It is scarce fair that any suggestions should be made that the Borough Council is not doing its duty to the Power Board. We wish the Power Board every success, and the council and its staff will do everything possible to help. I hope that, when the time comes to switch on electricity, the undertaking will prove to be one of the most profitable ever embarked upon in the North. “As a council we have a duty to our ratepayers. We consider our agreements as sacred and every member of the council desires them to be honoured in the spirit, as well as the letter. If the contracts are to be varied, it must be done in the form provided 'for in the contracts. Details Should Be Known.

“The time has come,” concluded Cr. Morrish, who is chairman of the electrical committee, “when details of our electrical developments, equipment and services generally .should be placed before every user in the town. Hundreds of recent arrivals and others have no conception of our electrical undertaking, and it is only fair to them and to ourselves that they should be informed.

“Any further action may be taken by the Mayor upon his return. I introduced this subject with diffidence because I did not wish to commit his Worship or place him in an unfortunate position. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Cr. Parkin put up a good case on our behalf, for which we should thank him.” {