Mr. McLean Draws P.B. Chairmanship From Hat Again

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 4

Mr. McLean Draws P.B. Chairmanship From Hat Again

For the second year in succession, Mr J. A. McLean retained the chairmanship of the North Auckland Electric Power Board by having his nomination drawn from a hat after a deadlock in voting.

When the election of chairman was before the board at the annual meeting in Dargaville today, Mr McLean and Mr E. G. Appleton were nominated, Mr McLean by Mr R. Coates, seconded by Mr J. H. McCarroll, and Mr Appleton, by Mr J. A. S. MacKay, seconded by Mr J. N. McCarroll.

Putting forward Mr Appleton’s nomination, Mr Mac Kay said the question of the power board chairmanship had been discussed by county members, who felt that county problems were largely the main problem of the board and for that reason it was considered a county member acting as chairman would give the problems more consideration.

The Voting. Mr McLean’s nomination was supported by Messrs McLean, J. H. McCarroll, Coates, R. Nesbitt, W. Collins, and A. J. McKay. Mr Appleton’s nomination was .supported by Messrs Appleton, J. N. McCarroll, W.R. Begg, W.G. Betts, MacKay and F. Elliott. With the voting bringing a deadlock, the two names were put into a hat and drawn by a Press representative, Mr McLean being successful. Last year there was a similar . voting deadlock, Mr McLean retaining the chairmanship by having his nomination drawn from a hat. Thanking members for his return, Mr McLean said that it had been used as an argument for putting an opponent against him that a man from a county council should be elected, but he maintained that attention to county affairs had always been paid since the inception of the board. There were only two towns in the board’s area and no man could say that he had not been fair and impartial. Question of Guarantees. Referring to the question of guarantees, of which there had been previous discussion, Mr McLean said tho board had been informed that if there was any reduction in the cost of bulk supply of electricity it would be conditional that the money saved would be used for the introduction of electricity to less thickly populated areas.

He had been chairman for 16 years and he took as much interest now as in the first year. Mr Appleton also thanked members and assured the board of continued effort The honorarium of the chairman was fixed at £2OO a year as previously, and members’ allowance, as previously, at £1 1/ a day for meetings, with travelling expenses No executive committee was elected, as it was considered unnecessary. The meeting date was altered from the customary first Friday in the' month to the second Thursday.