POWER BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 7

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING OF MEMBERS. The monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board was held yesterday, Mr A. W. Rodger, chairman, presiding. All the members, with the exception of the Hon. A. F. Hawke, who sent an apology lor non-attendance, were present. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr E. C. Macpherson, Wyndham, wrote inquiring whether the Board could make a reduction in the charge for electricity consumed by the Wyndham Muthodiet Church.—Report declined. Mr R. N. Thompson, Thornbury, wrote asking when the power would be available for the residents in that district.—To be informed that the power will be switched on within the next three weeks. The National Bank of New Zealand advised that in regard to the interest payable on loan moneys still awaiting disbursement in London, the Bank would be prepared to pay per cent, up till the end of August, but that after that date fresh arrangements would have to be made. The tender of Messrs Winstone and Company, of Wellington, for the supply of poles totalling 10,000 in number at a cost of £25,700, was accepted. The tender of Messrs William Smith and Co., of Invercargill, for the supply of 100,000 super feet of cross arm timber at £2 2s 6d per 100 superficial feet was also accepted. The Requisitions Committee reported having conferred with representatives of the South Invercargill Borough Council in regard to the negotiations for the purchase of certain, electric lines in that Borough, when it was decided that the South Invercargill Borough Council should request the Board to enter into direct negotiations with the Invercargill Borough Council and the Hospital Board with a view to a settlement being reached. The chairman and Mr Macalister were appointed to represent the Board at the conference of local bodies to be held to-day in regard to the railway services. Accounts amounting to £19,000 were passed for payment. The Board decided to hold its next meeting on June 26. POLICY' QUESTION DISCUSSED. The ehairman suggested that the Board should, in order to expedite the carrying out of the scheme as soon as possible, pass a motion to this effect so that when the Board came to consider the question of policy a fortnight hence, it would have an opportunity of being in possession of all the details and estimates of the work, especially in regard to the extra cost involved as a result of the missing houses having been located and placed on the plana. From the information available from Messrs Hay and Viekerman’s recent investigation, the cost of linking up the missing houses would range from £l2O to as much as £846 in the outlying parts, that was if the original scheme was strictly adhered to, but as time went on the Board might find that to carry the transmission lines out as far as they proposed was not required, and the total cost would be cheaper accordingly. However, that would be a matter for arrangement as time went on. In the meantime, it was pleasing to note that as a result of the recent investigation, the average cost to the Board to reach a consumer, leaving out the boroughs and also the cottages in the country districts of less than 3 rooms, would be approximately £lOO Ils for the 7400 houses. That was much better than had ever been contemplated. Mr R. A. Rodger suggested that the rating position would have to be cleared up; if that were done he did not anticipate that there would be very much trouble as regards the consumers taking the power.

The chairman then moved that in the opinion of the Board the whole scheme should be pushed on as quickly as possible and that the staff should■ proceed with preparing estimates of the cost and the quantities of material required, so as to enable the Board to come to a definite conclusion at the next meeting. Mr Macalister seconded the motion, which was carried. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE In the absence of the Hon. A. F. Hawke, Mr Hoyles moved, and Mr Buckingham seconded, that a standing committee should be appointed to deal with various matters connected with the work of the Board, such committee to consist of Messrs A. W. Rodger, T. Fraser, A. Hamilton, J. Macalister. A. le H. Hoyles and Mr Hawke, three members to form a quorum. Mr Niven moved an amendment that such a committee should comprise all the members of the Board. He was of opinion that such a committee, if appointed as suggested, would supersede the Finance Committee and would not allow of country members keeping in touch with the work of the Board. It was rather a coincidence that the names of the members proposed for the committee supported the present chairman in his election, and it had been said in one journal that as there were two factions on the Board there was bound to be some lively discussions. He regretted to make mention of such a fact, but it certainly appeared on the face of it as if it were a case of “spoils to the victors.” Personally he had no idea of any faction business on the Board and though he had not supported Mr A. W. Rodger for the chairmanship, yet when he had been elected, he (Mr Niven), and he believed all the other members who opposed him, were prepared to give the present chairman their full support in carrying out the work of the Board. Mr Niven’s amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr R. A. Rodger gave it as his opinion that such a committee would usurp the powers of the Board and might also get into conflict with the staff. Such a committee, if set up, should comprise all the members of the Board. He was opposed to the motion. Mr Middleton said there was a danger of the other members not on the committee losing touch with the work of the Board. It had also to be remembered that the proposed committee would have an absolute majority of the Board. Eventually after some further discussion it was decided to withdraw the original motion and to appoint a committee of three members to act as an emergency committee to meet when and as required. On the motion of Mr Bowmar, seconded by Mr Heenan, Messrs Hoyles, Macalister and Hamilton were appointed to act with the chairman.