HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2456, 20 July 1922, Page 2

HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

. .LOAN POLL ON AUGUST 15... The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board was held in Levin on Tuesday. Present: Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), A. A. Brown (Waikanae), F. D. AVhibley (Foxton), W. E. Barber (Moutoa), C. Ivilsby (Otaki), A. I. McKay (Paekakariki), A. Seifert TMakerna), D. W. Matheson (Levin), and W. 11. Gunning (Shannon). The Manawatu-Oroua Power Board wrote stating that, owing to the Wanganui and Horowhenua Boards deciding not to join in a joint lean, the Manawatu Board had resolved to proceed independently with its loan.—^Received. CONFERENCE OF BOARDS. The South Auckland Power Boards League wrote stating it had suggested to die Minister of Public Works that j.e should call a conference of Poweßoards as early as possible, as it was considered there were many'matters affecting the welfare and general working of the Boards that required- discussing. The Minister replied stating that, considering the Boards were in the initial stages of their operations, much good might come out of a conference, at which ideas and experiences might he- exchanged. He thought, however, that the request for the conference should emanate from the boards themselves. The Chairman said'l2 months ago a conference of power board representatives was held and a great* many of the amendments to the Electric Power Boards .Vet emanated from the conference. They,.evidently had a league of boards in the north, and perhaps a similar league might he beneficial in this part of the Dominion. On the motion of Messrs Matheson and Gunning, the conference proposal was supported. v RAISING THE LOAN.

The Clerk reported having enquired regardihg the raising of the loan of £260,000 for reticulation. The Prime Minister advised that- lie was arranging for, the Board’s application to receive early consideration. The State Advances Office advised that the sanction of the ratepayers had first- to be obtained to the loan proposal before the Governor-in-Oounei! could give consent to the raising of the loan. DATE OF POLL. The Engineer, Mr Overton, advised/ that hi*, present arrangements w4re to take-up his duties in Levin on August 1. and lie suggested that the Board should commence its propaganda- for the loan about that date. > i It was decided to take the loan poll on Tuesday, -August 15. 'The Engineer forwarded a draft of a circular letter he suggested for distribution amongst ratepayers. The Board approved of the circular, tjfid decided that it he sent to ratepayers through the post in preference to a suggestion that it be circulated hv means of the school children. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The., Finance Committee recommended: — That Messrs Park and Adams be appointed solicitors to the Board. That the Chairman’s residence at Reikorangi he connected with the phone on the following terms: Mr Monk to supply posts, and Board to find all other material; Mr Monk to erect the 4 by 3 poles, Board to pay for all other work; estimated cost to Board, material £l7, labour £lO, half annual charge of £ll to he borne by the Board and half by Mr Monk. Tire report was adopted. i SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS. The proposed programme of public meetings in connection with the was submitted and adopted with alterations as follows : Paraparaumu, August 2, 8 p.m. Otaki, August 3, 8 p.m. Te Horo, August 4, 1.30 p.m. Waikanae, August 4, 7 p.m. Obau, August 8,1.30 p.m. Manakau, August 8, 8 p.m. Tokomaru, August 0,2 p.m. Shannon, August 0, 8 p.m. Foxton, August 11, 8 p.m. Ihakara, August 14. 1.30 p.m. Levin, August 14, 8 p.m. Paekakariki, date to bgarranged. The meetings will be addressed by the Board Chairman and the Engineer, who will explain the pi'oposals and give all information desired. GETTING THE MONEY. V \ _ , Mr Matheson said it might be as ' well to enquire as to the prospects of getting the money they required and comparing the New- Zealand, London, and Australian markets. As soon as the,Engineer came on the scene they were going to have plenty of work, find they would need money. The Minister had stated that those Boards which were ready would get preference.

= Air Gunning endorsed Mr Matkeson’s remarks.' The Minister-had ; foreshadowed the re-allocation of power. They had to realise that this power was being developed enormous expense, and the Government was not- going to allocate power to Boards that were not going to make good use of it. It had been suggested that the Board might, if it was not readyf take the power and resell it to Wellington, but he did not think it likely expense would : be incurred in extra transmission lines for three or six months in that connection. The sooner they got to work the better. The Chairman said the conditions in London were still good, and the Manawatu Board had been able to get an oiffer of £200,000 in New Zealand. There might be some more money on offer in New Zealand. He -. would make inquiries -as the Board desired.