POWER BOARD WORKS.

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 440, 28 May 1923, Page 3

POWER BOARD WORKS.

WORKS COMMITTEE MOOTED. Proposal Defeated. At the Thames Valley l’owor Board meeting on Thursday, a motion to elect a Works Committee was defeated,- but the executive and special finance committee was strengthened by the addition of one member so as to attend more closely to the works in the Board’s area. Mr. Price, opening the discussion, advocated the election of a woiks. committee to relieve the manager and engineers. It would be to the best advantage of the Board. Mr. Arthur said that from the inception of the Boa/l be had advocated works committees. Each member of the Board should have first band knowledge of the working of the Board. They owed a. duty to the ratepayers to do the work they were elected to do, and the only method of doing this was to elect; a works committee or works committees. Mr. Flatt said that the suggestion was woi’th consideration. The. Board was not so closely in touch with the work as it would be if a works committee wore elected. He moved that a works committee be set up, consisting of three members. Mr. Price seconded. Mr. Pohlen failed to see what advantage would be gained unless the members were supplied with motoi cars to travel round the district. None of the members was qualified to give expert advice. Every member now bad a say in what was to be done. A works committee would be unnecessary expense and waste o( money. Mr. Thomas was in accord with Mr. Pohlen and thought the matter could be remedied by the representative of each district to have the privilege <d accompanying the engineers on their tours of inspection. Tins would remedy more defects than by electing a small committee. . ~ . Mr. Gauvain (engineer) said that he agreed with Messrs. Thomas and Pohlen. He had no objection to a I works committee but thought that it would be cumbersome to work. Each member had a knowledge of his own area. Mr. Strange said it would mean a tremendous amount of travelling in order to acquaint the proposed works committee of the whole district. Mr. Willey asked who would carry on in Mr. Sprairuc’s place when Mr. Sprague would bo absent. The chairman said Hint nobody, would be annointod in his place. The work would be laid out and the chairman would have to visit Te Aroha more than once a month. The, beniß accountant would be in charge in Mr.’ Sprague’s absence. Mr. Howie did not see what benefit the works committee would be as the district was so large.

Mr. Grace said he would supnort Mr. Arthur’s suggestion rather than the motion but thought the Board could do no heller than they were doing id present. The chairman did not see that anv great benefit would be gained by the works com mitten. Thev might meet the matter bv enlarging the executive and snecial finance en-nmiitoe. Ho moved an amendment that tbe executive and finance committee be strengthened by (lie addition ft! another member. The ptTiotidt"'»'i w?" carried My. Price being' added to the seen a 1 finance and executive" committee.