WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22368, 15 September 1934, Page 10

WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —Your correspondent “ Fiat Lux ” appears to have missed the main point ini this controversy. I would remind him that the discussion is about the Electric Power Board, and not the Charitable Aid Board. If “ Fiat Lux ” wishes to adopt any Utopian or philanthropic ideas he should start with his own business, not the public bodies. The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr M. F. Cooney) dissociated himself and his councillors from the letter which “ Fiat Lux ” says was only coolly received by the board. In those circumstances, I think that it was lucky to have even been received. It is this kind of conduct that any fair-minded ratepayer strongly resents, and only goes to prove that it is only a vindictive campaign that is being conducted by a few against the chairman of the board because he has dispensed with the services of those who were no longer required. “Fiat Lux” rightly says that it takes courage to act honestly by the ratepayers.” Your correspondent “ Hello, There” asks: "If there is any connection between the work being all behind and the dispensing with the services of an assistant engineer.” What ,an indictment against the engineer if "Hello, There ” means to say that the engineer is not capable of keeping only 377£ miles of line in order without an assistant engineer and more workmen than the South Canterbury Po.wer Board, which has only one engineer and 735 miles of line to keep in order and supervise that much larger reticulation work! The assistant engineer was procured to assist with the reticulation work of this district, and when that work was finished his services were no longer required. If “Hello, There” employed a carpenter to build him a new house, would he keep the carpenter on the job after the building of the house was finished? —I am, etc., Justice.