Kamo Representation On N.A. Power Board

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1944, Page 4

Kamo Representation On N.A. Power Board

In view of the differences in the voting franchise in the county from that in the town district, the Kamo Town Board yesterday wrote to the North Auckland Power Board asking that the district he combined with the Hikurangi Town District as a constituent district for the election of a representative on the North Auckland Electric Power Board. At present the Kamo Town District is linked with the Whangarei County Council.

“What is behind this?” asked Mr J. A. McLean. Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay said the Whangarei County Council would facilitate the request of the Town Board- When electricity was first supplied. Kamo Town Board had asked to be included in the Whangarei County rather than with the Hikurangi Town Board. The voting power was different between the board and the county. The Hikurangi Town District was small to have one representative, and. with Kamo added, the position would be more equalised. Hikurangi was over represented at present. He suggested the board should facilitate the request. - The chairman (Mr J. N. McCarroll) moved that the Whangarei County Council and the Hikurangi Town Board be written tn asking if they were agreeable to the request of the Kamo Town Board. Mr D- H. Cochrane said that the Kamo Town Board did not wish to come into the Hikurangi area when power was first supplied to the district, preferring to get its supply from Whangarei. Personally, he sympathised with the request of the town board but the Hikurangi Town Board took exception to Kamo coming in. Kamo was not concerned about Hikurangi when the North Auckland Power Board first commenced its reticulation service. He could not see any reason for Kamo now coming into the Hikurangi area as they appeared to be quite satisfied with the conditions until the successor to the late Mr Elliott had been appointed. Mr J. A. McLean thought the hoard should be careful and refrain from doing anything that might be an injustice to either board. Hikurangi and Kamo were several mile's apart and their interests might not coincide. Mr A- V. Page: What is the possibility of Kamo out-voting Hikurangi? The chairman: Hikurangi has about double the voting power of Kamo. Mr J. A. S. McKay: The county is not anxious to get rid of Kamo. The people of Kamo are asking for .the change. '

Mr McLean: Their interests are not neglected. Mr Mac Kay: That is a question. At the last election they did not appear to be satisfied with the method of appointment.

Mr McLean: If Hikurangi objects that will finish it. The chairman: I should think so. The motion was carried.

A letter .similar to that sent in the Power Board was .considered hy the '.Vila ugaroi Bounty Council today and it was decided that the council facilitate the request of the Town Board.

The chairman (Mr. .1. A. S. .Mac Kay) said the ma tier had been discussed by Kamo Town Board for some lime, and had not arisen as a result of the reeeiil election of a representative. Prim- to that election he had been approaehed by the Town Board chairman suggesting The advisability of Kamo combining with Hikurangi. He wished to make it perfect ly clear there had never been any complaint in Hie county with the inclusion of Kamo in the county area. Kamo and Hikurangi were combined for the election of a representative on the Hospital Board and Harbour Board and they naturally wished to be joined together in the Xorth Auckland Power Board. Both hoards had a similar voting system, lie moved that tlie council facilitate I lie request made by thi- Town Board.

Cr. A. Clarke considered Kanm and Hikurangi hud a community of inimvst and ho favoured combining. The motion was curried unanimously.