SOUTH TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1929, Page 7

SOUTH TARANAKI NEWS

POWER BOARD PROPOSAL. SUPPORT GIVEN AT MANAIA. ADDRESS BY BOARD MEMBERS. Over 50 ratepayers attended a meeting at Manaia last night to hear the representatives of the South Taranaki Power Board explain the board’s proposals. Mr. H. Mead, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and in opening the meeting said it was his pleasant duty to introduce a party of men who had a scheme to put shekels in the pockets of the citizens or, alternatively to prevent other people taking them out. Mr. N. C, Innes, the Manaia representative on the power board, was the first speaker, and strongly commended the board's proposals. He said, the question before the people was not one of the po.wer board versus the electric company, or the company versus the power board, but the issue was that of the company versus the people. The power board desired to give the people the opportunity to assert their own rights. As their representative on the board he recommended them to seize the opportunity.

Mr. E. Long, one of the Waimate West County representatives on the board,. also spoke briefly, drawing a parallel between the system of co-operation in the dairy industry and. the scheme to give' the people control of the system of electric supply in their district.

Mr. J. B. Murdoch, chairman of the board, stated that he had been present in the same hall a few weeks ago at the celebration of the coming of age of the Jolt Dairy Company. That company 21 years ago had purchased a business from an individual and since then had wiped off all liabilities. The power board also proposed to purchase a business at present run by a company, to establish co-operative control of the business and in 26 years, the term of the proposed loan, to wipe off its

liability. In the course of his speech Mr.-Murdoch made reference to questions put forward b/ the Ratepayers' Association, saying that only one of them was really pertinent to the present issue. The association had asked the manager of the company whether the proposition which the power board proposed to take over would pay at the price that had been fixed. Mr. Lamb’s reply had been, “Yes, if you leave the present management to run it.” Why should not other management be able to run it with equal success? asked Mr. Murdoch. In concluding-his address Mr. Murdoch said the company’s business was now assessed as worth £125,000. The shareholders, he understood, had put in £30,000 in cash and iir 25 years the value of the business had increased to £125,000. What would it be worth in another 25 vears?

In reply to a question as to whether a minimum rate would be charged, Mr. Murdoch said the board’s policy was to reduce th» minimum and to place all consumers on the same basis.

Mr. L. Harrison asked on what basis the board estimated the charge per mile for the reticulation of the Waimate West area. Mr. Murdoch replied that the estimate was £250 to £275 a mile, which represented a very lost cost. Mr. V. Hickey asked whether in the event of the board taking over the business, as he hoped it would, it would give an assurance that no electric contractor would be given a monopoly of the wiring. Mr. Murdoch replied that the board would be willing to undertake any work required by consumers but would not prevent .other businesses from competing with it, though it certa'inly would not give any contractor a monopoly in any business.

Mr. J. Hickey moved that the meeting express its hearty approval of the proposals. put forward by the board’s representatives. He complimented Mr. Murdoch on his speech and said the proposals to be submitted to the ratepayers at next Thursday’s poll was one of the finest propositions they had ever had before them. The motion was seconded by .Mr. A. M. Hannah and carried with applause.

OTAKEHO NOTES.

Miss McCrae, Canterbury, formerly teaching at the Otakeho School, and Miss Grant, of Waverley, were the guests recently of Mrs. C. C. Davies and Mrs. S. H. le Fleming. Miss McCartie is spending her school holidays with her parents at Tangarakau.

Mrs. L. S. Mackie has returned from Waverley.

Mr. H. Clarke is visiting his parents, Taikatu-Road, during the.school holidays. Mr. L. Bolter has recovered from hi% recent severe illness.

Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P., recently paid a visit to the district, and was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Mackie.

Miss W. L. Whittington, of Napier, is the guest of Mr. and Airs. H. J. Eaves.

Air. and Mrs. A. Burns and family are spending a few days of the school holidays at New Plymouth. The annual children’s fancy dress ball will be held this month and the children are practising for the event.

The last euchre party was well attended. the door takings amounting to about £7. The prize-winners were Miss B. McCullum, Miss A. White, Mrs. Abler. Mr. E. Henwood. Mr. H. Putt and Mr. E. R. Putt. Nearly £3O has been raised for the hall this winter by means of euchre parties. To celebrate its winning of the Taranaki championship, the Otakelio Hockey Club proposes to hold a ball in the near future. SUCCESSFUL BALL AT OH AUG AL CHILDREN’S ANNUAL ASSEMBLY. Profuse decorations and picturesque and original costumes were features of the annual children’s fancy dress ball at Ohangai on Friday night. About 150 children participated, and from the opening grand march until the completion of the children’s programme shortly before 11 o’clock, abandoned themselves to the enjoyment of the evening. At the conclusion of the children's session the adults took the floor and danced until the early hours of the morning. Spot and Monte Carlo numbers were sunnorted with keen interest by the | children. Gwen and Noel Foreman win- , ning the snot waltz and Eileen Frahm. I partnered by Walter Radford, the Monte Carlo. Prizes were allocated by the fancy dress competitions, the judges. Mesdames J. Gray and J. C. Robb, Hawera. expressing admiration of the attract.

tive display and the wide variety of costumes. With congratulations to each recipient the prizes were presented by Mrs. G. W. Williams, convenor of the ladies’ committee. The awards were:— Girls, five to ten years. —Fancy costume: Evelyn Calder (Shepherdess) 1, Sylvia Duff (Ruffles and Fluff les) 2. Original costume: Maisie Lee (Wedding Cake) Gwenda Elmes (Miss Lavender) 2. Girls, five years and under.—Fancy costume: Betty Williams (Fairy) i, Viola Townsend (Black and White Pierrette) 2. original costume; Jean Thompson (Red Riding Hood) 1, Avery Lander (Chicken) 2. Girls, 10 to 14 years. —Fancy costume: Violet Rangi tonga (Maori Maiden) 1, Alma Lee (Spanish Dancer) 2. Original costume: Gwen Reid (Jazz ; Herald) 1, Gladys Murray (Rainbow) i 2. : Girls’ original costume (Mrs. 5L Lee’s i special prize).—Phyllis Woodhead (Old i Lady). < Boys, five years and under.—Fancy i costume: Jimmy Reid (Mexican) 1, Billy ] Williams (Drummer Boy) 2. Original costume: Malcolm Miller (Indian) 1, < George Swaddle (Lord Fauntleroy) 2. s Boys, five to ten years.—Fancy costume: Jimmy Davidson (Herald) 1 Ronald Sutherland (Simple Simon) 2. Original costume: Allen Slater (Knight of the Bath) 1, Eddie Davidson (Painter) 2.

Boys, ten to 14 years.—Fancy costume: Jack Calder (Pirate Chief) 1, Robert Hinga (Maori Brave) 2. Original costume: Leslie Patchell (Cowboy) 1, Billy Dyson (Chinaman) 2/ Boys’ Original , Costume (Mrs. H. Frahm’s special prize).—Leslie Philpotts (Shell Bowser). » Judges’ Special.—Violet Rangitonga and Robert Hinga (Maori Couple). Others appearing in fancy costume included: Agnes Millar (Hawaiian Girl), Mary McNaught (Rose), Joyce Patchell (Cornflower), Belle Millar (Fairy), Myrtle Spice (Night), Isobel McNaught (Wee Mac), Phyllis Tidswell (Sunflower), Joan Dyson (Sunflower), Mavis Patchell (Baby’s Rattle), Millie Bell (Gipsy), Eileen Frahm (Fairy Sunshine), Edna Davidso” 'Tingle Bells), May Lan(ltalian Peasant), Jean Williams (Saxon Lady), Kathleen Kerrisk (Sunflower). lan Aliller (Indian), Bobbie Swaddle (Indian), Don Patchell (The Boy With the Nose), Sandy Jarvis (Red Indian), Noel Foreman (Clown), Frankie Davidson (Sailor), Ronald Elm (Indian), George Woodhead (Dutch Boy), Jack Frahm (Harlequin), Laurie Philpotts (Jockey), Lyn Williams (Chinaman). The chairman of the hall committee, Mr. N. Lee, thanked parents for the interest evinced by the preparation and arrangement of the children’s costumes. In extending thanks to all who had assisted the chairman made particular reference to the work of the ladies’ committee. who had arranged the decorations and supper and been responsible for the greater share of the organisation.

Mrs. G. H. Williams was convenor of the ladies’ committee, while the joint secretaries were Mesdames N. Lee and J. Millar, and Mr. S. Kerrisk. The grand march and children’s dances were supervised by Mesdames Williams and 11. Frahm, and Mr. S. Savage acted as master of ceremonies. Excellent music was provided by Barton’s orchestra. Elocutionary items ' were contributed by Mrs. J, C. Robb- —: