THE POWER BOARD.

Wairarapa Age, 31 July 1925, Page 5

THE POWER BOARD.

A MEMBER SPEAKS. (To the Editor.) In regards to your representative’s request for an interview, I feel that I owe to the electors of Masterton, and generally to all ratepayers of the Wairarapa, some responsibility in the management of its concern. It seems to me that it is necessary to go back a good way in our history, and trace events up to the present time, so that ratepayers, and power-users can judge for themselves some facts, which have a bearing on the present uneasiness of a good number of people in this district.

About the formation of the Wairarapa Power Board, Mr Climie was appointed our engineer, and Mr P. H. £hnith, secretary-manager. Mr Climie reported, that -it was possible to develop electric power at Kourarau as follows: —”700 h.p. continuous, and up to 1000 h.p. for 6 hours, in any one day, besides providing even up to 1200 h.p, in an emergency, for say half an hour.” This scheme is at present working up to its full capacity, and less than .700 h.p. is its maximum, and getting less every day. Mr Climie assured the Board that the limestone would not form a deposit in the pipes, and thus reduce the pressure. This contention is contrary to facts, for the pipes are at the present time becoming heavily coated with limestone, and it may not be removed with safety from the steel pipes.

I find also that Mr Keenan was appointed as a foreman wireman, by our late manager, Mr Smith, to whom I understand he is related. *Our present manager was appointed by the Board, chiefly for the reason that he was strongly recommended by Mr Climie. I think a fair estimate to put Kourarau, would be to write it down at once by 33 1-3 per cent. This knowledge is being freely spoken of, and can it be wondered at, that people are asking, that our chief executive Officers should be qualified men, with a reputation, when over a quarter of £1 million of money is lying about the District!

I would also point out, that our accounts have never beeta audited, although we have been in business for £onre five years. Mr Kershaw has pointed out, that !We are what might be called a commercial concern. Well, I would ask him, if he can point out to us any such concern, that is bound up with so much “red tape,” and unnecessary irritating regulations, as the Wairarapa Power Board. To put the whole thing in a nut shell, “there is something wrong somewhere,” and the scheme needs .Writing down at least one third. I offer no apologies to anyone, but consider it my duty that the people of the Wairarapa should know , my views on Kourarau, which I honestly believe are substantially correct.—l am etc., R. J. KING, A Masterton Representative Wairarapa Power Board.