Borough Reticulations

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 57, 18 February 1927, Page 5

Borough Reticulations

Proposed Purchase by Power Board MR. H. HILL’S MOTION. TIME CONSIDERED INOPPORTUNE. The time i* not opportune tor negotiation* with the Napier and Hatting* Borough Council* in regard to the board acouiring me present reticulation* of the l*o borough*, we* the opinion expressed hr the member* of the Hawke • B*v Power Board yesterday.

The matter waa introduced by Mr. H. Hill, who moved, in accordance with notice given previoutly, that the necessary steps be taken by the board to acquire by purchase from the Napier and Hastings Borough Councils, their electrical lighting rights and reticulation on »u<h terms and conditions as mav bo materially agreed on between the parties, or by arbitration.

Mr. Hill did not at first wish to proceed with his motion as he wa* not aware when notice had been -iven that the agreement between the board and the two councils had not been signed. He did not desire to niece any difficulties in the way. In view of that ho asked leave to withdraw it. but this required the unanimous vole on the part of the members and as Mr. J. W. Callaghan opposed the withdrawal the motion had to stand Mr. Callaghan stated that if there was anything in the air as suggested by Mr. Hill it should be dealt with before April. The fact that no agreement hnd been signed did not iffect the position. NO FEELING OF ANTAGONISM In bringing such a proposal before the councils, Mr. Hill said that he was not doing it with any feeling of antagonism but with a view to coordinating the work the board was appointed to carry out. After outlining thq Power Boards' Act Mr. Hill pointed out that in Auckland oh* Power Board had absorbed sole control of light and power. Gisborne, ne said, had agreed from the start to Uie Poverty Bay Power Board taking over full control. Of late the Wanganui Borough Council bad conceded <ts power and right* in regard to electric supply to the Wanganui Power Board, and Waipukurau had done likewise to the Central Power Board The best example, ho held, was Taradale. wbo knew they were on a good wicket, when it had decided to allow the board to take over all its interest* In his opinion the Power Board was a better authority to control electric supply than any other form of local government. It waa the duty of the board to confer as many benefit* as possible, not on a class, but on the community. The power* conferred upon the board were identical with the powers of boards in other countries.

SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE. Mr. Hill then illustrated the activities ui the Ltiblies vomimssiou, wiuch kuid u> Um cuiisumtib wituuut proht auu who got current tor all forma oi uae tor a hallpeuny a unit. Mr. Hill then read an editorial from the London "Tunes” on the electric supply at Toronto, wherein it * stated that electricity had become the servant of the people He urged that the board ought to try and carry out similar benefits to the community. He thought that both the Hastings and Napier Councils would be well advised to allow the board to take over the whole of their reticulations and he was confident that the board could do equally as well what was being done in Onada, the United States and Switserland. A WRONG MOVE. In seconding the resolution Mr. T. E. Crosse congratulated Mr. Hill upon his remarks and said that it should be realised that both Borough Councils had done nearly all the spade work to make the movement possible. The board, ho said, bad no more power to make money than had the controlling bodies in America. He did not consider it the duty of the Power Board to do anything to cause friction between the various bodies It was for the councils to start the movement to transfer the power from themselves to the Power Board, but for the board to nuke the first move was absolutely wrong. Mr. R. D. Kettle stated that all would agree that in due course the Power Board would have to take over at] the services, bat he did not consider that the time was opportune for ths board to approach the borough. BEATING THE AIR “At the present moment this resolution is only beating the air,’’ said Mr. J. W. Callaghan, “as there is no possibility of getting the Napier Borough Council to agree to it.” Mr. Callaghan said it was well known that what was wrong with the district was that there were too many local bodies who seemed to be at each other's throats. "An agreement between the N'apiei borough and the board has just been come to,” continued Mr. Callaghan, “so let us see how it progresses. At the end of the time there may then be an opportunity. I am sure that both the Borough Councils are willing to work hand in hand with the Power Board so let us go ahead on our own ground in the meantime. We have certainly made a profit of between £9.000 and £12,000 a year on our plant, but that has been sot aside for a purpose. We know that in time our plant will become obselete so that we are making provisions for the future by setting up reserves. I am satisfied'that we can manage the reticulation and the sale and distribution of current within the borough without any trouble.’’ CHAIRMAN NOT IN FAVOUR. “Personally, 1 hope that the motion will not be carried," said Mr. J. B. Andrew (chairman), “and that the board will let the agreement just reached go on for some time That agreement is for five rears with a right to review it at the end of three years. It is premature to talk of taking over the council’s plant.” TIME INOPPORTUNE. . Mr. W. Harvey agreed also that the time was inopportune for such a movement, which was not fair to either the ratepayers, the Borough Councils, or the Power Board. It

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would take time for the board to get on its feet and to know how to act. Taradale obtained a temporary license and had been really part of the Power Board all the time. Mr. Mason Chambers spoke also against the proposal considering the time opportune for any such negotiations with the Borough Councils. MOTION DEFEATED. Mr. Hill, in reply, expressed his thanks to the member* for the sympathetic way in which they had discussed the question. He strongly believed in educating the people and let them know what was being done n other places where benefits were being conferred upon the communities. The motion on being put to th* vote was def sated.

The public are reminded that the Heretaunga Sports Club will hold every Saturday a euchre party and dance in the Oddfellows’ Hall, with the object of raising money to put on better athletic sports. It is hoped thta the project will secure support so that a good annual gathering may be assured.

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