VALLEY ELECTRICITY.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16798, 28 May 1926, Page 5

VALLEY ELECTRICITY.

MEETING OF BOARD. NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED. HOPES FOR FUTURE. The ordinary meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board was held at the Board’s room, Te Aroha. yesterday. Present: Messrs F- H. Claxton (chair), W. E. G. Willy (Hauraki Plains County), J. Pohlen (Matamata County), J. W. Anderson (Matamata County), GHowie (Morrinsville Borough), C. A. Arthur (Te Aroha Borough), F. N. Strange (Piako County), F. E. Flatt (Paeroa Borough), J. Price (Matamata Town Board), J. B. Thomas (Piako County), J. McCormick (Thames County), H. M. Corbett (Ohinemuri County). An aplogy was received from Mr H. R. Bush (Thames Borough), who was unable to be present. Reports.

The annual reports for the year were presented. The first was from the chairman, which gave outline of the Board’s operations, which had exceeded all anticipations. The second was from the manager (Mr R. Sprague) showing the financial side of the Board’s business, which had exceeded his estimate by £2301/15/-, showing a decided increase in the revenue of the Board. The third report was presented by the' engineer, Mr McLeod, and showed a considerable growth during the year in the demand for power throughout the Board’s area. All the reports were received and adopted without comment. The chairman (Mr F. H. Claxton) announced that having resigned from the Board, he would now vacate the chair, but before' doing so, he wished to express his appreciation of the assistance rendered to him during the years he had been their chairman. It had given him a great deal of pleasure to preside at the meetings, where all matters had received the most impartial hearing and the relationship had been most amicable. He asked for his successor the same assistance, and trusted the operations of the Board : in the future would meet with every ! success. . 1 Annual Meeting. Mr Sprague, the manager, then took the chair, and called for nominations < for the position of chairman. Mr Thomas proposed Mr Strange, i In doing so, he pointed out that Mr ] Strange was the pioneer chairman, i and was in every way suitable for the position. This was seconded by Mr < Flatt. 1 Mr Pohlen nominated Mr Arthur, j This was seconded by Mr McCorxniek. A ballot was taken, and Mr Strange < was declared elected. ‘ In returning thanks for his election, I the new chairman said he faced the future with confidence from the solid 1 foundation laid down by his prede- I cessor, and from the knowledge that he would have the assistance and confidence of the members. 1 Record of Appreciation. ' Mr Arthur said the Board should express its appreciation of the work 1 of the late chairman, and he moved i that the Board place on record the 1 excellent work performed by MrClax- < ton during the time he had been associated with the Board, and more < particularly while he had been chair- < man. This was seconded by Mr Pripe i and carried. Matters Dealt With. The following inward correspondence was received and dealt with by the Board: Hauraki Bridge. The Public Works Engineer, Paeroa, applied for power for a 5 h.p. motor and lighting in connection with the Hauraki River bridge at Kopu during the course of construction. Referred to engineer. Ranges in Schools. The Education Board wrote that it had under consideration the installation of ranges in various schools. It was decided to inform the Board the conditions on which the installation would be undertaken. Winter Show. The Auckland’ Electric Power Board wrote asking financial co-operation of the Board in making an electrical display at the Auckland TV inter Show. The Board could not see its way clear to contribute. Charges for Power, The Public Works Department wrote that it could not entertain at present any reduction in the cost of electricity from Horahora. —Received. Power for Mining. The New Zeehan Consolidated Mining Company wrote asking for information as to the cost of supplying power at its mine at Puhoi, Thames. The secretary reported having sent the necessary information. —Received. Tahuna District. Mr Willy asked that a canvas be made of the settlers in the Tahuna district with the object of getting them signed up to install electricity. Granted. Financial. Accounts amounting to £29,314/5/11 on the power account, and £8729/10/- [ on the loan account, were passed for payment.