WESTLAND POWER BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1929, Page 3

WESTLAND POWER BOARD

TUESDAY, DEC. 17th. The adjourned meeting of the above Board was held at the, County Chambers at 7.30 o’clock. Present: Messrs J. A. Murdoch (voted to the chair), B. Ward, R. Whiley, T. R. Chesterinan, D. P. Stuart and E. A. Wells. The Acting Chairman explained the business. The members would be aware that the Mental Hospital location was in the Westand Power Board area. For the convenience of the public institution the Board had granted the Kanieri Electric Ltd. the right to supply electricity to the hospital, and a contract had subsisted between the Company and the Hospital for five or' six years That contract was expiring early in the new year, and in a measure, assisted to solve the difficulty respecting the application to terminate the license of Kanieri Electric Ltd. for the special area. Westland Power Ltd. which had the right to the district for supply purposes, had secured the now contract with the Mental Hospital, and the position was that while the Hoard could not desire to interfere with the existing contract, its expiry cleared the way for the termination of the license, seeing that Westland Power Ltd. was in due course to supply the power. After a short discussion, Mr Wliiley’s motion wa,s amended verbally, and lie moved as follows':—“That- acting in conformity with tbe powers vested in the Hoard, the. license granted to the Kanieri Electric Ltd. to supply both the Hokitika Mental Hospital and the Ka 11 ieri-Hokitika Sami 11ing Company with electricity lie terminated at the same time as the existing contract between the Kanieri Electric Ltd. and the Hokitika Mental Hospital authorities expires.” In moving the motion, Mr Whiley said it was an important factor that Mr Langljbrd’s enterprise should be supported and carry the united support of the Board. Mr Chesterman seconded, remarking that the Board had every right to back-xi]) the Power Company which had relieved the community of special rating in supplying the electricity, and had made the task of the Board a light one. Air Ward agreed that the Company needed the fullest encouragement. Large capital wa,s involved in the outlay undertaken for the benefit of the district, and the country should make the fullest use of the electricity, and lie hoped to see the service carried into all the country homes. He spoke enthusiastically of the convenience supplied. Air Stuart supported wh.it had l>een said, agreeing with the remarks of the previous speakers. Air Wells said it was pleasing to know there had been no friction between the companies and that there would be no opposition to the Board’s action.

The motion was then carried unanimously. ■

Air Wells moved that the Chairman (Air Butler) take the necessary steps to prepare and give the three months’ notice to which the- Kanieri Electric Ltd is entitled, in order that the foregoing resolution may be given effect to, and further that the Chairman interview Mi: Radford, the local representative of the Kanieri Electric Ltd. with a view to acquiring part of that Company’s unused line without having to resort to expensive arbitration proceedings. Mr Stuart seconded.

The Chairman considered action along the lines indicated in the motion was necessary, and lie advised acceptance of the motion which was agreed. The meeting rose at 8.15 p.m.