SUPPLY OF POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1925, Page 4

SUPPLY OF POWER.

MOVE IN SOUTH TARANAKI. FIRST MEETING OF BOARD. THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. (Jlrom Our Own Reporter.) Hawera, July 20. The first meeting of the recentlyconstituted South Taranaki Electric Power Board, which was held at Hawera to-day, marks a distinct move forward in the provision of electrical energy for Taranaki. For some time past steps had been in hand to have a South Taranaki electric power district constituted, and the meeting of the board yesterday marked the successful culmination of those efforts. The new district comprises the town of Hawera, part of the Hawera county, the whole of the Waimate county, and the town districts of Alanaia and Normanby within its inner area, while the outer area embraces the Patea county and joins up with the Rangitikei-Wanganui power district. Thus practically the whole of Taranaki is within the areas of the Taranaki, South Taranaki, Opunake or Kaponga power districts, with the exception of the New Plymouth borough and part of the Taranaki county that obtains its supply from New Plymouth. A portion of the new South Taranaki district is already supplied with power from the Hawera County. Electric Company. There were present at the meeting Messrs. E. Long and J. F. Stevenson (Waimate County Council), N. C. Innes (Manaia Town Board), C. J. Preston (Normanby Town Board), J. B. Murdoch and E. A. Washer (Hawera County Council), E. A. Pacey and L. A. Bone (Hawera Borough Council) and H. S. Elliott (secretary pro tern). Mr. Bone was appointed chairman. In accepting the position, the chairman stated that a good deal of the preliminary work had already been done, and he hoped to carry on the work iu a manner thjt would prove of benefit to the ratepayers of the district. * Mr. H. S. Elliott was appointed clerk and treasurer to the board at a salary of £3O per annum. A bonus of £5O was voted to Mr. Elliott for the work done in the past during the preliminary stages of formation. Members spoke iu high terms of the splendid work performed by Mr. Elliott. It was resolved to ask the Hawera Borough Council for the use of a room for the meetings of the board. Mr. R. D. 'Welsh was appointed solicitor to the board. In accepting the appointment, Mr. Melsh stated that the new board had begun in a very small way, practically in the Hawera borough, and it had now developed into a momentous undertaking that would require careful handling. The chairman said that the principal question was that of finance. They had preliminary expenses to meet, amounting probably to £450. There were various ways in which they could be met, either by a bank overdraft or by obtaining advances from the local bodies concerned or by striking a rate. He was averse to a rate, as ratepayers had been given to understand that there would be no rate, and in any case if a rate were struck the amount to be collected from many of the ratepayers would be so small it would be too expensive to collect. It was pointed out that local bodies had power to vote up to £250. Mr. Murdoch preferred an overdraft, questioning if local bodies would care to find the necessary money. It was pointed out that the money advanced would only be in the nature Of a loan, repayable when the board had funds. Mr. Welsh, who was asked to advise on the question, considered that there was no need for any hurry over the matter. The board should first consider and decide upon a policy before deciding what finance was necessary. Members considered it necessary to have a fund to pay the preliminary expenses, etc. The chairman, Mr. Pacey and the clerk were appointed a committee to arrange accommodation with the Bank of New Zealand up to £lOOO. It was stated that in the event of the committee being unable to arrange with the bank for an overdraft, the Iccal bodies will be asked to advance the necessary amount as provided by the Aet, provision being made that the amount was to be refunded later. All the members were authorised to sign cheques with the treasurer. The question of travelling expenses and the remuneration of members attending meetings of the board was discussed, and it was resolved that members travelling to the meeting be paid Is per mile each way, the question of the remuneration of members being deferred till a later date.