SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21647, 18 May 1932, Page 10

SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING I PROPOSALS TO INCREASE REVENUE. (Special to Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, May 17. At the annual meeting and later the regular monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board this morning Mr E. Bowmar presided, and there were also present; Messrs J. D. Rodger, E. K. Sim, R. A. le H. Hayles; T. Golden, A. A. Mac Gibbon, W. Norman, P. Arnott, J. D., Hcenan, W. Hinchey, W. M'Chesney, and J. T. Carswell. Mr Bowmar was rc-clccted chairman and the annual meeting was adjourned and the board proceeded with the monthly meeting. The reports were adopted. Reference to the valuable services given by Mr T. A. Buckingham as a member of the board was made by the chairman. Mr Bowmar expressed regret that illhealth had caused Mr Buckingham’s retirement and expressed the hope that lie wouldvspccdily recover and would enjoy his leisure. Tie Remarked that Mr Buckingham had until recently been a member of the board since its inception. The chairman’s remarks were endorsed by Messrs Hinchcy, Mac Gibbon and Hcenan, and a motion expressing appreciation of bis excellent services was recorded in the minutes. The secretary (Mr Charles Campbell) expressed appreciation on behalf of the staff of Mr Buckingham’s work. A deputation of senior officers of the board waited on the board with a proposal to avoid wages cuts. They asked, in brief, that the board’s employees should be given an opportunity as an alternative to a wages cut to increase the new business and revenue by concentrated effort and co-operation in their own time. The board, after hearing the deputation, decided to circularise members with the proposals outlined by the deputation for consideration. An important proposal, which, if carried to a successful conclusion, would save the board about £BOOO a year by way of interest, was submitted to the board by the secretary (Mr Campbell). The board, after a short discussion, authorised the secretary to ascertain the feelings of the' Minister of Finance and the Treasury on the question. Matters arising from the report will ho brought, before the board at its meeting on May 17.