POWER SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 12

POWER SUPPLY

POLICY IN THE NORTH MEMBER ASKS FOR INQUIRY DISCORD IN OFFICES ALLEGED COMMITTEE APPOINTED [by telegraph—own correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Saturday An investigation by a committee into the board's policy and functions and into the friction and discord which, he said, had been manifest between certain departments, was proposed by Mr. Rodney Coates at a meeting of the North Auckland Power Board. Mr. Coates' motion was in the following terms:—"That a committee consisting of three members bo appointed to investigate and report upon certain matters, and to have power to call for persons and papers, and any other information which may be necessary for its investigation." "I suggest that tho committee consist of Messrs. E. G. Appleton (Hobson), J. A. S. Mackay (Whangarei) and the mover (Otamatea)," continued Mr. Coates. . Questions For Inquiry "The questions for investigation," ho said, "arc as follows: —(a) The general- policy of the board to date; (b) suggestions for alteration and improvement in the board's functions and methods of reaching its objectives; (c) methods and proposals suggested for coordinating the engineering and secretarial departments; (d) methods of staff organisation calculated to lead to tho smooth working of all departments and to the complete co-operation and team work necessary to bring about the maximum efficiency of tho board's officers; (<l) recommendations as to tho class of reports most essential to members, such as the programme of reticulation work ahead, sales of electricity, and steps taken to sell power in various localities; (f) generally any other matters which in the opinion of the committee should be dealt with. Call For Co-operation "I believe that had determined and persistent action been taken power would have been made available at the Paparoa sub-station much earlier," continued Mr. Coates. "The advantages of an earlier beginning were clear to everyone. Since the board started operations there has been a steady and tremendous rise in costs. Much regret and impatience has been bottled up, and it was hoped that when once a start was made tho board's business would run smoothly and satisfactorily, but it is a matter of deep regret that such a state of affairs is not in evidence today.

"There is a distinct lack of cooperation between the engineering and secretarial departments," said Mr. Coates, "discord and friction being evident, and a certain amount of irritation is in existence among junior members of the staff. It now rests with the board to define exactly where duties begin and end. Frankly I have lost confidence in the chairman. We want co-ordination among our members and co-operation among our staff." Mr. W. Montgomery seconded the motion.

Members' Opinions Mr. E. G. Appleton: Mr. Coates deserves the congratulations'mid apprecij ation of the members of the board. It 2 has been apparent for some time that j things have not been going too j smoothly. j. Mr. A. J. McKay: I resent this surprise being sprung on the board at no ' notice at all. Mr. J. N. McCarroll: I am surprised f at the remarks of j\fr. Coates. I dissociate myself from the suggestion of i discord and lack of enterprise in our . work. . Mr; J". H. McCarroll: I move as an ! amendment that the whole board go P into the questions. Mr. L. W. Nelson: Without agreeing fully with Mr. Coates, I agree in ! some things. There has not been the ■ co-ordination in the work that there [ should be and I am of the opinion that an inquiry would be in the interests of [ the board. t Chairman's Approval 1 The Chairman, Mr. J. A. McLean: 'i I think that this possibly might be a ! good thing, provided the evidence to ; be taken will bring things out very clearly. It seems rather peculiar that in an investigation like this the chairman should be left off. Mr. Coates: The chairman acts ex officio. There will be nothing behind your back. There will be no underhand work. Mr. J. N. McCarroll: The chairman cannot sit on a committee that is investigating the chairman's doings. The Chairman: I can tell you that | when the investigation opens some I,rather surprising things will come out. j Mr. Coates: No, I don't think so. j The Chairman: Am I supposed to bo j under trial, Mr. McCarroll ? | Mr. J. N. McCarroll: Yes. i The motion was carried. It was also j decided that the evidence to be taken I by the committee be typed and made available to the meeting at which the report is to be tabled. SHIPMENT OF POLES ARRIVAL AT KIOREROA [from our own correspondent] WHANG AREI, Saturday The steamer Gabriel la arrived at the Railway Wharf, Kioreroa, this morning from Australia, via Auckland, with a cargo of 1125 ironbark poles for the North Auckland Electric-Power Board. These poles will bo used in the board's operations on the Whangarei side of the board's area, which includes the Town Boards of Kanio and Hikurangi. The engineer to the board, Mr. T. 11. Overton, states the poles were ordered last December, and that the delay in their arrival had delayed the work on the Whafgarei side by at least three months.