POWER BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5482, 2 October 1929, Page 3

POWER BOARD.

PLAINS REPRESENTATION. A BREEZY PASSAGE. The Thames Valley Power Board meeting yesterday was enlivened by spirited discussion over additional representation for the Hauraki Plains on the board, arising out of the following letters :— The Hauraki Plains County Council forwarded a copy of the following resolution : “That in view of a suggestion that the Hauraki Plains County is entitled to more representation on the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, the Power Board be requested to supply this council with a statement showing the approximate total amounts received from sale of electricity during the last financial year from customers in each constituent district.”

A covering letter stated that the county’s representatives on the board had informed the writer (the county clerk) that the board had not received a previous copy of the resolution. It was certainly written, but the writer said he regretted it if the letter had failed to reach the board through any omission at his end. The Waitakaruru-Pipiroa Ratepayers’ Association forwarded the following resolution passed by it: “That this association considers that in view of the size of the district and the amount of revenue derived therefrom, the Hauraki Plains should be entitled to two representatives on the Thames Valley Electric Power Board.” Favourable consideration was requested. Mr Flatt said he wished to propose a motion that the matter be taken into consideration by the finance committee and included in its repoi-t. Up to now the board had only been taking Putaruru into consideration. Several Members : No I No !

Mr Price maintained that Mr Flatt was wrong. The question had been considered from every point of view. Mr Strange : There is no necessity for the resolution. »

Mr Corbett : The matter of the Hauraki Plains must be considered. Mr Price said that the figures were in hand. If local bodies were dealt with separately all local bodies would be writing in. Mr Strange : The figures can be supplied. There is no necessity for the motion.

Mr Flatt insisted that it was either “go on as before or go into the ward system.” On the board’s own figures Hauraki Plains was entitled to more representation. He wished his hand strengthened, even if no other member desired his strengthened, to go on with the matter.

Mr Corbett maintained that the matter must be considered, even as an act of courtesy to the Hauraki Plains County Council. i The Chairman : I see no necessity for the resolution.

Mr Sprague pointed out that the Hauraki Plains County Council only asked for a return of figures. Mr Flatt said it was following up a request made previously.

Mr Price : I move that the information be forwarded to the Hauraki Plains County Council. The Chairman : That’s all right; I won’t consider the first resolution. Mr Flatt: That means that the first request is not answered. Mr Strange : We can notify them that the whole matter is under consideration.

Mr Arthur : Despite the letter from the Hauraki Plains County Council the whole matter is being considered. From the way Mr Flatt is speaking he wasn’t at the meeting last night. Mr Flatt: Yes I was, and I had a lot to say, too. Mr Arthur considered that Mr Flatt’s resolution was a reflection on the committee.

The Chairman : I’m not going to take the resolution.

Mr. Flatt: I think you’re one-eyed. The Chairman : I object to your remarks. If you persist in those remarks I’ll have to ask you to withdraw.

It was eventually decided to supply the Hauraki Plains County Council with the figures requested, and to inform the council and the Waitakaruru Ratepayers’ Association that the matter of representation was under consideration.