WAITEMATA POWER BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18963, 10 March 1925, Page 10

WAITEMATA POWER BOARD.

amalgamation question. REPLY TO CRITICISM Strong exception to the lemarks concerning the Waitemata Electric Power Board, made at a meeting of ratepayers of Takapuna, Northcote, and Birkenhead, at Takapuna on March 3, was taken by members of the board yesterday. Mr. J. W. Hayden, chairman of the board, presided.

" This is a deliberate attempt to try to coerce members of the board before they have been able to give the question of amalgamation impartial consideration," stated Mr. Hayden. "By making misleading and incorrect statements those at the back of the movement arc striving to create a hostile public feeling toward any policy this board may adopt, unless it agrees with their views. 1 regret exceedingly that it is necessary to make any public statement at this early date, but there are several sufficient reasons why we should not rush headlong into amalgamation with the Auckland board, of which members of this board, who have given both sides consideration, are fully aware."

" I was surprised to hear so many glaring mis-statements at tin:: meeting atc Takaputia," said Mr. I'. ('. Walton. There appeared to be an attempt to kill the Waitemata board at all costs.

Mr. Miles E. Thompson stated he would only agree to amalgamation with the Auckland board if it was able to offer a better proposition than that outlined by the engineers. Mr. J. Maokay said the statement that the board's engineer would get £IO,(XX) out of the work was entirely wrong. It was problematical whether he would get £SOOO, and the work would take about three years. Mr. J. McLeod said the Auckland board could not electrify its own territory, let alone absorb the Waitemata district. It was no use waiting some years to see what the Auckland board could do. They all had the interests of the district at heart, but they should not join tip with the city board unless they were offered something definite.

"We have been elect,ed to get power for the. Waitemata district as cheaply and as soon as possible," said Mr. K. W. Grigg. He did not sec why they should waste the time of the board when they had no definite proposals from the Auckland board. They knew of many instances where the Auckland board was unable to supply extra power. At this stage there were many interruptions, and a motion censuring Mr. A. K. Greenslade for criticising the manner in which the chairman was conducting the business was carried.

In reply, Mr. Greenslade stated that on the face of it he thought the Auckland board could supply power cheaper than the Waitemata board. He believed that to reticulate the Waitemata area under the city scheme was a far better proposition.

After further discussion a resolution was passed that a letter should be sent to the Auckland board, asking for a, reply, by March 17, to the letter of February 23, in which certain questions were asked with regard to reticulation of the Waitemata area. A special meeting of the Waitemata board will bo held on March 18 to make a definite decision of future, policy. In the meantime the engineers arc to give the Auckland board all information about their report, and how the figures were made up.