SECOND EDITION POWER AFFAIRS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 199, 18 August 1933, Page 8

SECOND EDITION POWER AFFAIRS

The Central H.B. Board MONTHLY MEETING TO-DAY GENERAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED There were present at the monthly meeting of the Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board, held to-day in Waipukurau, the following members: — Messrs. A. 0. Russell (chairman), W. H. Rathbone (deputy-chairman), Chas. Pattison, A. C. Holms, F. J. Witherow, R. A. Fraser, J. A. Kerr, M. Ryan, and A. W. S. Longley. • Resolution Of Sympathy Feeling reference was made by the chairman as to the loss sustained byMr. Longley in the recent death of his father (Mr. Arthur Longley), at Wombwell, Yorkshire, England, aged 8 5 years, and a resolution of condolence was passed in the usual manner. Acknowledging the expression of sympathy, Mr. Longley remarked that for over 40 years his father had been engaged in the British Civil Service and had interested himself in various public activities. The sentiments placed on record would be conveyed to his mother. Welcomed Back Mr Ryan was cordially- welcomed back to the board table by the chairman, Mr. Witherow and members generally on his recovery from a lengthy- period of ill health. Mr Ryan said that he fully appreciated the kindly courtesy extended to him and the indulgence shown him during his absence. Financial Matters Accounts passed for payment were: Loan account, £29 4s 4d; Fund account, £1687 5s Bd. The latter included interest on the £40,000 loan. Audit Fees The Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote asking support for a resolution urging the Government to reduce audit fees. On the motion of the chairman, sceonded by- Mr. Witherow the overture was supported. Question Of Guarantees Messrs. F. J. Addis, E. James, and D. W. Priest wrote asking what guarantee would be required if they had

electricity installed. —Guarantees as proposed by Messrs. Witherow and Holms were decided upon. Conference Reinits The New Zealand Power Boards Association advised that the annual conference is to be held in Wellington on September 27 and 28 and asked that remits be forwarded by August 31. —The opinion was expressed that the question of dealing with the control of radio interference which the board had brought before the executive of the Association in the form of a special report drafted by the secre-tary-manager, should be the subject of a remit, the chairman and Mr. Witherow supporting this course.

Mr. Holms said that he had previously recorded his dissatisfaction that the executive of the Association had referred the matter to the Engineers’ Association, which aparently favoured leaving the issue in abeyance. He suggested the following as a remit: —“That as outlined in the proposals drafted by the SecretaryManager the Power Boards’ Association be recommended to promote the setting up in provincially grouped areas of an authoritative committee representative of the Public Works and Post and Telegraph Departments, Broadcasting Board and the Power Boards, for the purpose of dealing with radio interference problem. After brief discussion the matter was left in the hands of the secretary to finalise.

The secretary-manager reported:— I took the opportunity, whilst in Wellington, of going into the question of wireless troubfe. It will be remembered that in March last I submitted a report suggesting that the time was ripe for the various authorities interested to take concerted action to deal with a trouble which, at the present moment, is spurned by all. The Board forwarded a copy of the report to the Power Board Executive for their consideration. I am assured that such a proposal as was suggested by us is worthy of full consideration, and I would respectfully suggest that a remit go in from us,

dealing with the question on the lines of the March report. Finance Committee The report of the Finance Committee (chairman and Messrs. Rathbone, Witherow, Pattison and Holms) which met on Tuesday, was adopted. This covered various matters of routine, also recommendations as to special questions and dealing with accounts. A Range Load? The special report of the secretarymanager as to the question of developing a range load in the Board's area by way of profitably augmenting the consumption' of current was the subject of a lengthy discussion, during the course of which it was contended by Messrs. Fraser and Holms that the move was questionably advantageous as the return from the heating load was only Ad. per unit above cost and 1 the complementary water-heating service development represented a return below the cost of power from the Government. It was agreed to hold the proposal over for consideration in February or March next. Appreciation was expressed in regard to the full details supplied by the secre-tary-manager. In the course of discussion, Mr. Rathbone said that his experience of wood, coal, gas and electricity showed that under propore control electrical cooking was the most economical, besides representing labour saving to housewives and all concerned.

Doan Redemption The report of the secretary-man-ager on the subject of loan redemption as applied to a £13,500 loan with the Public Trust office was adopted and it was agreed that overtures be made, as recommended, in respect of repaying a loan for £lO,OOO. Loan Conversion The special report of.the secretarymanger in regard to the question of the conversion of loans in terms of “The Local Authorities’ Interest Reduction Act, 1932-33”, considered earlier by the finance committee, was fully discussed and it was eventually decided that no further action be taken until the Power Boards’ Association has made an expected pronouncement on the subject at the forthcoming annual conference, it being agreed that there are two sides to the question at issue in view of the premioum to be paid as between the 20 per cent. Statutory reduction and the rate at which conversion can be arranged, also legal costs involved.