ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2442, 10 September 1921, Page 5

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

MEETING LAST NIGHT A meeting of the Cambridge .Electric Power Board was held at the Borough Council Chambers last night. Present: Messrs M. Wells (chairman), W. Harbutt, W. J. White, H. Roche, J. S. Fisher, G. M. Watt and J. Martin. Valuable Timber A letter was read from the State Forest Department, offering a large block of milling timber, situated near Horopito-j for sale by tender, tenders to close on the 29th inst. The timber comprised, approximately, 703,000 ft of silver pine; 1,095,000 ft kawaka; 1,120,000 ft rimu; and 791,000 ft other kinds of timber. Included among the timber for sale were 1500 silver pine poles and 544 kawaka poles. Mr ,H. Eocke presented a list of timber suitable for electric poles for private lines. The list was approved, and will be duly advertised in these columns. Resignation F. Nash wrote, resigning from position as storeman for the Board. —Accepted, place already filled. Wireman's License J. Kirkwood requested the Board to issue to him a master wireman's license. The Central Power Board declined to issue such a license to him, unless he sat for an examination, which he objected to, seeing that he had passed such examination many years ago. Mr Boehe said it was a hardship for a man to have to sit for an examination in every district he went to, and he moved that applicant produce his credentials, and if these were satisfactory a license be issued to him. Seconded by Mr Harbutt, and carried. Office Work A letter was read from the Mayor of Cambridge, stating that Mr Ansell's protracted illness had caused the office staff to get behind with work, but that the Board's balance sheet was now ready for audit. —Eeceived. Pinance Several letters were read with regard to financial matters, which were discussed in committee. The treasurer submitted a statement, showing the position as at March 31st last, and also as at September 9th. At the latter date there was a bank overdraft of £l3l 12/6. The sum of £22,821 11/11 had been paid to the contractors. Discussing finances, the chairman said he did not see how they were to get on without levying a rate. High as the cost of electricity was for lighting, it was still cheap, as was proved by the amounts being paid by users. The secretary stated that users of the light were generally pleased with tho charges. Mr Watt said that no doubt a rate would have to be levied. General Business It was reported that an arrangement had been nuude for the contractors to do their own shunting at Bruntwood and Hautapu, and thus save a considerable sum charged by the Eailways Department for this work. Mr Watt stated that it was being freely stated that the Board kept much of its business affairs out of the newspapers, and he thought too much business was done in committee..

Mr Martin was understood to say something about the paper reports being poor, but his remarks were inaudible at the press table. The matter of reticulation of No. 2 station road was brought up by Mr Watt, and referred to the contractors' foreman, to confer with Mr Watt, • Mr Martin, referring to the recent poll, said that several people had voted against the loan because they were disgusted with the work being done by the contractors' men, many of whom weifd shirking work. The chairman stated that they had done all they could in this matter, and the contractors had "fired" many men for loafing. Mr Fisher said they would have these grumbles so long as human nature was what it was.