Challenge Chairman To Repeal 3 Lines Of Report

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1943, Page 2

Challenge Chairman To Repeal 3 Lines Of Report

At yesterday's meeting of the North Auckland Electric Power Board strong exception was taken to the reading and consideration of a lengthy report by the engineer when such report had not been circulated amongst members of the board.

The board was discussing important proposals submitted by the executive when the engineer was asked by the chairman (Mr. J. A. McLean) to read a lengthy report having a bearing on the executive’s proposals.

Mr. John li. McCarroll (Aratapu) considered that such a comprehensive and exhaustive report should have been made available to members of the board before the meeting. The proposals in the engineer's report, he contended, were far-reaching, and had a direct bearing on the recommendations of the executive.

“I question,” Mr. McCarroll, "whether any member can grasp one paragraph of the report. It should have been duplicated and circulated to members in ample time for this meeting.”

Adoption Moved

The chairman (Mr. J. A. McLean) proposed that the engineer’s report be adopted, and again considered at the next meeting.

Mr. J. H. McCarroll: I defy and challenge the chairman to repeat any three lines of the engineer’s report, which he said he had read twice. “If anyone should be conversant with the report it is the chairman,” said Mr. McCarroll.

Mr. W. Collins moved and Mr. Cochrane seconded that discussion on the matter be adjourned until next meeting.

Mr. E. Page could not see how the engineer’s report could be adopted without being seen by members. "I have been on my feet since five this morning, and am not in a condition to comprehend such a lengthy report on hearing it read once,” said Mr. Page. “Extraordinary Suggestion”

1 Mr. J. A. S. Mac Kay, in moving an [ amendment that the meeting adjourn I for lunch, contended that it was absurd : that after coming 50 to GO miles to a \ meeting it was to close after sitting for j only Ij, hours. It was an extraordinary ' suggestion. He considered the engin- . eer’s report an excellent one. It | should give people confidence, i The amendment was carried.

On resuming, Mr. John McCarroll moved an amendment to the adoption of the report, that the engineer’s report be printed and circulated to each member, and further consideration deferred until the next meeting. This was seconded by Mr. D. H. Cochrane and. after further discussion, carried by eight votes to four.