THE POWER BOARD.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1394, 19 May 1923, Page 5

THE POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMITTEES. The first meeting of the Te AwaElectric Power Board, as electecrWgt month, was held on Friday, those members present being. Messrs J. T. Johnson (chairman). J. G. Sutherland, G. Spinley, C( G. Downes, V. M. Lethbridge, J. B. Teasdale junr.. P C. Daniell, F. S Parlane and W. G, Pickett. Development League. Mr J< G. Wynyard, secretary of the Te Awamutu-Arapuni Development League, asked for the Board's support in its endeavour to develop communication with Arapuni. The letter added: “Unless we can establish good means of communication we cannot hope to influence business from the Arapuni district fo Te Awamutu,' which, from the fact of its position on the Main Trunk line, and' the possession of the shorter route, both from Auckland to Wellington, offers- advantages over other positions. There is also the opening up 0 f valuable agricultural country lying between le Awamutu and Arapuni hydroelectric works, and the League ‘ can rely on the sympathetic assistance of the settlers on the route towards anv improvement on the present system of transport."

The chairman stated that several local bodies had made contributions Fie League’s funds. While the 'Power Board was interested in the district's development, he doubted whether the Board had legal power to make a contribution to the League's funds. However, he had no hesitation in commending the League’s object to the favourable consideration of Board members individually.—-The imter was received. Information Wanted. Mr li. Cobbe. Aorangi. Foil ding ttsked for 'information as to tlie Board's policy and service, as the (hiambor of Commerce in that town is discussing certain aspects of t iu> hydro-electric scheme there. The chairman remarked that somewhat similar requests came to the manager at the rate of two or three per week. it. was a compliment to the Board's administration, hut it involved considerable extra work * The manager stated he had forward • ed the informal ion desired. Three Parly Agreement. Mr T. MacLennan. district electrical engineer. Public Works Department, forwarded a copy of the three party agreement between the Depart- | ment. the Power Board, and the X.Z. j Co-op. Dairy Co., covering supply of ! electricity to the company's factory at T n Awamutu,—Received. Inspection of Motors. It was stated that the Minister for Marine, Hon. G. J. Anderson, had advised Mr A. H. Parrish, of Hairini. that he would consider the representations made by the writer to the eflect. that, as motors used by dairy I farmers for milking machinery are under the control of the Board's in- ! spector. such motors should be exempt from inspection by the Department’s inspectors of machinery.—Received. The chairman said the Department's i inspection was not so much over elec- I trie motors as over shafting, belting, etc. The Board’s inspection did not ! cover this. Representation.

The Assistant Under-Secretary of Public Works Department forwarded 'copy of an Order-in-Council apportioning representation) on the Te A warnutu Electric Power Board, providing for seven members from the Waipa County (part), and Kihikihi Town District, two members from Te Awamutu borough, and one member from Otorohanga county (part). Propaganda. Mr Lethbridge referred to the advisability of adopting propaganda for bringing to the notice of ratepayers the advantages of using power. Most of the Boards issued such information and it had proved beneficial. More power used resulted in reduced charges, and this information won many potential users. The chairman said he was waiting t> get the meter readings for April, to show ratepayers the costs of power for a straight nine months. Messrs Lethbridge and Downes were unpointed to act with the manager in preparing propaganda. Committees. The manager said he was waiting appoint the following members as the Legal and Finance Committee: Messrs .1 C. Sutherland. C. G. Downes, F. S. Parlane, and N. M. Lethbridge. The other members of the Board. Messrs 0. Spinier. F. C. Daniel! W. V. Pickett, S. 0, Macky and J. B, Teasdale. would constitute the Works Committee. This arrangement was approved, it being pointed out that the Board’s chairman is ex-officio a member of all committees. The Consumers’ Finance Committee was decided upon as follows: Messrs Sutherland. Johnson. Spinlev and Parlane. Messrs Johnson. Sutherland. Spinley, TUnioll. Downes and ,J. B. Tei'sdale junr. were deputed to deal with patters in connection with the exlinsion of power to flip Otorohanga Suiter area. Supervision, Mr Daniel] pointed out that there was need for more consumers, and therefore more revenue, and in this connection he was prepared to spend two or three days in company with the manager in canvassing the Parawera and Pukeaf.ua districts. Other members undertook a similar obligation in their respective districts. as follows: Mr Pickett, Ohaupo and Kaipuki: Mr Teasdale. Rangiaohia; Messrs Daniel! and Sutherland, Orakau and Kihikihi; Mr Parlane Kakgpuku: Mr Lethbridge, Otorohanga and Wharepapa• Messrs Mackv ' and Johnson, Mangapiko; 'Messrs Spinlev and Downes. r l’e Awamutu borough. General. The chairman gave notice of motion for next meeting in favour of reducing the present surcharge for heating

point of one shilling per month to make that charge apply to one ,or more heating points in any one building'. Accounts totalling £IOB9 14s 8d were passed for payment.

ANNUAL MEETING.

MR J. T. JOHNSON RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN. The statutory annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Eelctric Power Board took place yesterday in conjunction with the ordinary monthly business meeting. The formal business was the election of a chairman, and on the motion of Messrs Downes and Lethbridge, Mr J. T. Johnson was unanimously re-elected chairman. Mr J. G./ Sutherland paid a tribute to Mr Johnson’s administrative ability, saying that he had' worked well and the Board members and ratepayers had confidence in him. (Ap--plause). Air Johnson, in taking the chair, said he appreciated the confidence reposed in him after three years’ service. He may have made some mistakes, but he had always endeavoured to do the correct tiling. The Board had difficulties before it, and one of the chief obstacles was finance. By ratepayers buying power from the Board revenue would increase, and thus decrease the likelihood of rates having to be collected. He congratulated his fellow members on their reelection without opposition. This was an indication of confidence from the ratepayers. .Mr Johnson took the opportunity to welcome Mr J. B. Teasdale .inn, as the new member, and assured him that every other member 1 would seek to work amicably with ! him for the advancement of the rate- | payers’ interests . all times. Hear, ! hear). Mr Teasdale suitably acknowledged J the hearty welcome, and said lie would j always strive to deserve the kindly j sentiments expressed.