POWER BOARD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 130, 27 May 1932, Page 8

POWER BOARD

Central Hawke’s Bay

ANNUAL MEETING TO-DAY

GENERAL MATTERS DISCUSSED

The annual meeting of the Central Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board was held this morning, Mr. A. C. Russell presiding over the following members: —Messrs M. Ryan, J. A. Kerr, F. J. Witherow,’ C. Pattison. R. A. Fraser, A. W. S. Longley, A. C. Holms, W. H. Rathbone. The secre-tary-manager (Mr G. E. Fowler) and the engineer (Mr. J. K. Lee) were also present. Earthquake Damage The Auditor-General wrote advising that the Audit Office would not raise any objection to any expenditure incurred during the year ended March 31, 1933, on the renewal or replacement of reticulation, etc., damaged in the earthquake, being deducted from the amount of depreciation to be set aside for that year. The letter was recived members expressing satisfaction with the attitude of the Audit Office. Australian Loans. The Auditor-General wrote stating that he was unable to advise definitely whether the legislation providing for a reduction of interest in the State of Victoria applied to the Board’s loans domiciled in that State. In the meantime interest payments would have to be made in full.— Received. ' Shut-down on Sunday. Advice was received from Shannon that there would be a shut-down of power for two months on Sunday, May 29, to enable certain work to be carried out. —Received. Auckland Riots. In reply to the Board’s resolution regarding recent disturbances in Auckland, the Pvt. Hon. G. W. Forbes wrote: “I desire to say that the Government is determined to suppress any lawlessness in the community, and, with this object in view an Act entitled “The Public Safety- Conservation Act” was passed recently by Parliament, giving the authorities adequate power to deal promptly with disturbances such as those which occurred in Auckland recently. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, and the Mayor of Auckland, also wrote acknowledging receipt of the Board’s resolution. The letters were received. New Appointments. Mr W. G. Pryce and Miss E. M. Hastie wrote the posilior-s of st ope-ch rk and junioi typist respectively.-—Received. Reduction of Interest, The Pveceiver-General of the Treasury wrote advising that, under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, the Board was entitled to 10 per cent, off the interest of loans domiciled in New Zealand. It was necessary for the Board to pay the full amount. The Government would collect the 10 per cent. ,remiting it to the Board and would charge 5 per cent on the amount for doing so. “It seems to be making a lot of extra work,” said Mr Witherow, “but of course the government is making sure of its 5 per cent.”

The letter was received.

Conference Cancelled.

The Power Board’s Association advised that the 1932 conference had been cancelled. There would, however, be a meeting of the executive on June 7th to deal with important matters. —Received.

Overhanging Trees.

A legal opinion was recived in regard to trees in the Board’s area which were on the property of a landowner, but which overhung the road to the danger of the Board’s lines. The opinion stated that the Board had authority to request the local body, in whose area the trees were, to take steps, under section 170 of the Public Works Act, to have them

cut back. The finance committee recommended that action be taken along these lines. “The matter is one of far more importance than appears on the surface,” said the secretary, remarking that there were many cases of overhanging trees in the Board’s area.

The finance committee’s recommendation was adopted.

Secretary-Manager’s Report

Mr. Fraser congratulated the secre-

tary-manager on his annual report, which was adopted. “I don’t think we have any cause to feel unduly pessimistic in view of the financial position disclosed,” said Mr. Fraser. Maximum Demand The secretary-manager reported that the maximum demand for the period April 1 to May .26 was 856 K.V.A. on May 26. ... j .