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Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1928, Page 2

Tim appreciation meted out at the meriting -T the Westland Electric Power Board on Wednesday to the Chairman and other rnemhers was certainly well merited. Reference lias fieen made already in these columns to the good fortune of the ratepayers in escaping any rating burden or liability covering the installation ol the electric power scheme. This was possible because of the patience and. perseverance of the Board, and the individual members deserve credit accordingly. It is some seven years since the Board was established, hut for the hotter part of fire years the Board pursued a policy of masterly inactivity, wntihin’.; developments elsewhere. and guaging possibilities here. Some two years or so ago. Mr Langford came forward with the proposition now being brought to fruition, and the Board was not long in seizing the opportunity t: 1 assist in ..securing electrical development for Westland on terms reasonable and considerate to consumers without pledging the ratepayers as to ;mv foundation costs or future liability. fn ibis connect i"ii the Gnvornmet met the Board very well, and the Minister of Mines (Mr Anderson) is ir particular to he congratulated <ll the bargain be made in the public interests. The Government water races were not paying. On the contrary, they were ail annual liability. The Minister wiselv derided to baud tile property over so Hint it could bo used very economically to the public advantage. 'The Department was requited with a payment of £7.50!) spread over a term, and meantime holds security nver the property. In addition the Board lias poss-e,simia ry l ights which rola.ins the water races prin t ienllv as a national asset. The value of all this to the people was emphasised byMr Ward, who spoke oil Wednesday of the apprecin t ion of the value of property in the A rah lira. Valley, because of the electric service. The same appreciation in values of property will he noticeable in other districts In lie served with the current, v So wo sis* a wasting asset, turned to a good prisdactive use. and in its utilisation employing more labour, apprising land values, and giving a return on the

capital invested. It is a happy issue. more so as tbit prospects ahead are so promising. A special measure of credit is due to both Mr Butler (Chairman) and Mr Munlmli (Melllbep> who gave so much of their time and their talents to see the eljinplcted arrangements 1 laced on so satisfactory a looting. Both gentlemen served the Beard (and incidentally the ratepayers) very unselfishly and they can look back with lunch satisfaction on what has been achieved. The Westland Power Board has not been a very obtrusive body, but it lias certainly boon an alert body, and from the Chairman down has been well equipped in business capacity, the benefits from which are now so pleasingly apparent. Unstinted praise and credit are certainly due to the members of the Board for their watchful work and satisfactory achievements.