WESTLAND ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

THE INAUGURAL MEETING.

WEDNESDAY, DEC Ist.

The first meeting of the newly elected Electric Power Board whs held at the County Chambers at 7.30 p.m. Thoro were preseflt: Messrs W. J. Butler, L. H. Morel, E. A. Wells, B. Ward, T. R. Chesterman and R. F. Perham. Apologies Aero made for the absence of Messrs Murdoch (in Wellington), and Duff (ih hospital). Mr Park tvhs present to advise the meeting as to procedure. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Perhatn proposed Mr Butler as Chairman. Seconded by Mr Wells and agreed to unanimously. Mr Butler took the chair and thanked members for their confidence. The Board was a new one, and they could not look back and pldce blame or otherwise on previous members. It was a very important body, whoso function was to see to the distribution of cheap power to the community. One of the surcit tests to the advancement of the community was what was the amount of horse-power per head of population. America used about three times more horsepower than any other nation and to that fact was due much of her great industrial prosperity. They had some splendid sources for power in this district. He took it that their first duty was one of investigation. To find the sources for power and then to find what amount of power would be utilised. He thanked members and felt sure he would have their support in the carrying on of their operations. SECRETARY.

Mr Ward asked if Mr D. J. Evans was available for the position, if so there was no one whom he knew more suitable for the position. He moved to that effect. Seconded by Mr Morel, supported by Messrs Wells, Chesterman and Perhatn.

Mr Evans said he would be pleased to do anything for the advancement of the Board. He recognised that the provision of electric power was a matter of great importance to the district, and he was quite willing to do his utmost to assist the movement. He would he qnitO prepared to act irt an honorary capacity till the Board was placed on a sound financial position. Mr Evans was then unanimously declared elected.

FINANCE. The Board discussed the question of finance at some length. Mr Morel asked for particulars as to what power the Board had. He thought that when a proposal was available it should be placed before the people for

decision.' The Chairman said it appeared to him that there were two preliminary phases. The first would he to find out the ex_ tent of the power available. That investigation should first be made. The second phase was when this information was available, to place that before the ratepayers who would tlion have to decide whether the operations should be .carried out. Mr Park advised that the Board had power to strike a rate for preliminary expenses, but only one could be struck. Mr Ward said that as the rate could only be collected once, it was a very fair one, and would be a very small matter for the ratepayers. Mr Park said the rate would be a very small one, sand it would not- be payable to collect it. Mr Evans said a farthing rate would mean £340, but the cost of collecting would be very substantial. It was resolved to nominate the National Bank of New Zealand as bankers, the Chairman being authorised to make enquiries as to the best course of procedure, and the financing of the Board for the time being. Mr Perham said when they were endeavouring to find where the power would be required, they would require to be able to give some idea of tlie cost that would be involved. Mr Ward thought the first thing to do would be to find the possible consumers, and how much they would require. There would be the dairy farmer and the sawiniller, the latter be-

ing the larger consumer. The matter

of the cost had been referred to by Mr Templin who bad estimated that the cost of running a milking machine would ho about £25 and of lighting the home, another £5.

The Chairman suggested that they

get into communication with Mr Templin to ask him the information he would require for the Board to supply him be_ fore he came to make his investigations.

Mr Perhain asked if the present Power Company had any monopoly in Hokitika.

It was stated that the Power Company had the right to (supply street lighting, at the hospital, and to supply the ratepayers. The Chairman said they would have to find out who would be the users of power in the district. Much of his information would be available in the office. Mr Morel asked if it could be stated where the power could be. secured from in the district. The Chairman Istated that the Kumara water race had been indicated as a probable source. After further discussion Mr Butler moved that they should obtain a map and place thereon the information that the engineer would require.

Seconded by Mr Ward and carried

Mr Wa?d asked if the engineer would require an indication of the source of power. Mr Park intimated that this would be required.

Mr Ward suggested that the Department should be aproached as to whether the Kunlafa water race would be placed at tho disposal of the Board, and on what terms. The possible sources were mentioned of Kumara -water race, Toarolia, Lake Kariieri and Humphreys Gully race. . Mr Parham suggested that they get three alternate schemeis of power, if the cost of obtaining same was not too costly.

Mr Park mentioned that the Kanieri Lake could supply up to 4000 horse power, if the outlet was made by way of Bluebottle Terarce. Mr Wells moved that a stub-committee consisting of the town meihbers be appointed to make enquiries as to Sources

of powpr and probable cost of same, and report to a future meeting. Seconded by Mr Morel and carried. It Whs rdsdlved tb meet next on the lOtlv. January at 2 p.m. The meeting terminated at 9.30 p.m