WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22369, 17 September 1934, Page 5

WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Since May 10 I have made several very definite statements regarding the policy and the financial affairs of the board. No attempt has been made by any board member or responsible official to disprove- these statements. Therefore, a.large number of the electors and ratepayers are becoming more and more concerned, and have come to believe that the statements must be correct. A summary of the main points previously made fs ap-pend,ed*~-vU) That-the amount of interest

reduction for the year ended March 31, 1934, was greater than the "profit" declared;: (2) that, therefore, there was a trading loss; (3) that when men were "sacked" 12 months or so ago economies of approximately £BOO were promised: (4) that the total economies <in wages did not reach £300; (5) that if £llsO is spent on office alterations the Thames street offices will have cost £6OOO. to date : (are they worth £2000?); (6)-.that water heating charges produce a huge loss; (7) -that country reticulation produces a huge loss; (8) that the town reticulation produces all the profit after covering up the country loss; (9) that "line leakage, etc.," costs the board 20 per cent, (approximately) on what it pays for Government supply and that "peak load" could be kept down by better control and maintenance; (10) that the lowest charge heating) is 14 times lower than the charges for commercial lighting. "Justice" says these statements are misleading and are red herrings, etc. He also says he cannot reply to my figures because he is not able to get " inside" information. As he has thus admitted lack of knowledge of the figures quoted, on whose authority does he declare them misleading? "Justice", in a published letter states " that if any member of the staff is supplying 'Ex-Employee.' with information he should be dealt with accordingly." Is this a threat, and does "Justice" advocate Star Chamber methods for public servants? I trust no member of the staff will be " sacked" for this reason, for I can honestly state that no' member has supplied me with the information. Of icurse, there is no reason why he or she cannot do so at any reasonable time any rate-, payer or consumer, with the possible exception of the Borough Council, can obtain any information he desires by application to the secretary. This person is really the servant of the ratepayers and not of the board, the latter being only elected by the ratepayers to act as custodian of their interests and being the unpaid servant*of the ratepayers. If the board members do not act according to the wishes of the majority of the ratepayers they will naturally be deposed at next election. I suggest that new blood is needed, and hope that a sufficient number of business men offer their services at next election to sweep the present town members into oblivion. Surely the Augean Stable will then be cleaned. I make this definite statement, so that no more "sacking" need take place, that any elector can verify, my figures by applying at the Power Board offices for balance sheets, by looking up old copies of tne newspapers, and by a study ot tii<-. Government Census Office Hxnd Book. Any. schoolboy, not necessarily the dux boy, with the above " data" to hand, could then compose epistles such as these: Before closing, I would ask my readers to decide which part of this letter is persona] and vindictive, as I carefully refrain from personalities.—l am, etc., Ex-Employee.