BEST YEAR IN HISTORY

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1935, Page 11

BEST YEAR IN HISTORY

OPUNAKE POWER SCHEME CONGRATULATIONS TO OFFICERS. REDUCTION IN OVERDRAFT. / After the reports of the chairman, secretary and engineer of the Opunake Electric Power Board had been read and discussed at the meeting on Friday commendation of the manner in which the whole scheme was administered were forthcoming, members being particularly impressed with the reduction made in the overdraft which, up till-recent years, had proved a great obstacle in the way of progress and expansion.

Mr. R. B. Fleming complimented the chairman on the year’s working and the secretary on the setting out of the accounts. He felt sure that steady progress would be maintained and that the harmony existing between board and staff would continue, the result of Which would be reflected in the excellent service they could offer to the consumers. Mr. A. J. Brennan said the balancesheet made pleasing reading, particularly in regard to the overdraft. When he first came on to the board the overdraft was the bugbear but it was being so reduced that in two years it might be a thing of the past and the board could then again move-forward.’ Another thing he observed was the happy relations between .town and country members. It was in no instance “town versus country.” He complimented the chairman and trusted that all members would be reelected. Mr. J. S. Tosland said the year's.working undoubtedly was the best in the board’s history. Unless any accident occurred to the board’s plant there should be a continuous and steady improvement. Mr. Brennan had touched on the matter of overdraft. While it had owing to circumstances made a heayy burden for the board for the time being,, yet as the whole of this money had been for capital expenditure, it had been the board’s most productive return for outlay. The return in some of the initial capital outlays had been but two per cent,, whereas that spent out of overdraft had returned not less than 10 per cent, and as high as' 30 per cent. This was brough: about by the fact that most of this expenditure was making connections to the-lines already erected, whereas the loan expenditure was often on constructing lines that barely paid sufficiently to merit such construction. However, he also looked forward to the time when anyone who required power, proyided it could be supplied at a profit should have it. The success of the team work was caused by the confidence the board had in its staff.. i ■ Mr. W. C. Green spoke in glowing terms of the chairman’s work and ability and he trusted that he would be returned and again hold that office. He hoped that other members would stand and again be successful. During the whole of . his public career he never had seen a, board work so harmoniously together. He found that it took some , time for a man to become versed in the particular technicalities of each office and sometimes just when the member was becoming versed in matted and proving useful, he was “kicked” off. He praised both the secretary and engineer for working so well with the board. Mr. E. A. Collins fully agreed with what the others had said. Undoubtedly the relations between the board arid its staff were 'of the best, and this enabled the best results to be achieved. ■ Mr. T. P. Hughson said he trusted he could still act as the town member. It was only when one became a board member that he realised the full work of the staff and board. He praised the secretary and engineer for the manner in which they had carried out their duties. The chairman, Mr. G. Goodwin, thanked members. He never desired to work with a more helpful body of men and whatever the result of the' .election, he would always remember the kindness and consideration shown to him by them, also their assistance at all times. He would like to mention the staff for its able service and co-operation. Mr. Goodwin congratulated the treasurer on the yearly balance which took place on March 31. The fact that the balance-sheet was in his hands by April '3 was indeed worthy of comment. He felt certain that members appreciated the fair and unbiassed attitude of tito Press and the service rendered the board.