WELCOMED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4430, 26 May 1941, Page 4

WELCOMED

POWER BOARD MEMBERS. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. At the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Power Board on Friday three new members were present for the first time in the history of the Board. They were Mr R. J. Graham, of Kaipaki, and Messrs R. F. Armstrong and V. A. de Coek, of Te Awamutu. The chairman (Mr J. T. Johnson) remarked that at that meeting they had present with them three new members. Mr J. B. Teasdale had not sought re-election, and Messrs W. J. North and J. C. Montefiore had been defeated by King iDemos. All three gentlemen had been connected with the Board over a period of years, and had given valuable counsel and thought in the administration of the Board’s affairs. So far as the town members were concerned, he had heard it said that there was “ too much Power Board and not enough Borough Council.” He would remind them, however, what these members had been elected for—-to .administer the affairs of the Board as a whole. During the twenty-two years he had been chairman one portion of the Board’s district had not been boosted against another. Matters had not been considered how it wiould effect this locality or that locality, but the interests of the whole, of every section. Welcoming the new members, the ehairman said he had been associated with Mr Graham on the Waipa County Council for a large number of years, and he (Mr Graham) therefore came to them with ,a knowledge’ of local body work, and he was satisfied that he would render good service. In Mr Armstrong and Mr de Coek, whom he cordially welcomed, he congratulated them on their victory over two old stalwarts in Messrs Montefiore and North, who had enjoyed the confidence of the electors over a long period. He remembered that these two new members were the product of this district, of which fact they should be proud. Mr Armstrong came to them in sort of “ a line of succession ” because his father had been with them in the days when the foundations of the Board were being well and truly laid. Mr L. G. Armstrong had proved himself a most valuable member. Both gentlemen came among them with a high reputation in their respective professions, and he knew that their ability would be available in helping to administer the affairs of the Board. Mr N. M. Lethbridge also welcomed the new members. The Board in the past had had differences of opinion, but never any squabbles. It was per hapes the most harmonious Board in Neiw Zealand. In the past twentytwo years there had been no wrangle, and he did not for one second think that any of the new members would cause such a thing. He hoped that thev would go on as in the past. The, Board’s duty wias not bolts and nuts and that sort of thing, but administration, in which they were fortunate to possess a good, efficient, and courteous staff. Mr J. G. Sutherland suitably endorsed the remarks made. Mr S. C. B. Macky spoke similarly, saying that new blood was to be welcomed, and he thought Mr Armstrong and Mr de Coek would make excellent members.