POWER BOARD.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17168, 26 March 1927, Page 7

POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monlhly meeting of the v' ,;~ taki Electric Power Board Was held yestqrday. Present: Messrs J- M. Fornester (in the chair), B. ZNfnhan, J. G. Newlands, A. Mclnnes, W. Gardiner, T. A. Munro and J. McDiarmid. The chairman expressed pleasure at seeing Mr Gardiner present again and extended a welcome to Mr Miclnnes, who had just become a member of the Board.. Mr Robert Milligan wrote resigning from the Board. The resignation was accepted with regret and it was decided to place on record the liigk serbices of Mr Milligan. Mr Forrester was unanimously elected chairman. • Mr Gardiner stated that Mr Duncan Cameron had done a lot of work for the Board while the speaker was indisposed. It was decid ed to forward a letter of thanks to Mr Cameron. i Messrs Johnston, Mills and White, solicitors, Christchurch, notified that they held the Board respoii* sible for the accident in which and Mrs I. H. Balkind were injurea on February 24th, when their car collided with one of the- Board's pars. The Farmers' Co-operative Assurance Company advised that any action arising out of the collision would be defended hy Mr P. C. Hjorring. The secretary said the Board's solicitor had advised that the Board was not liable. They had a comprehensive policy and the insurance company would1 back up the action. The engineer-manager stated that the Board's driver was being proceeded against for negligent driving and he had assured the driver that the Board would stand behind him. Mr Dalmer's action was approved. The St. John Ambulance Brigade wrote asking for a donation towards the cost of the new motor ambulance. The letter was relceived. : The engineer-manager stated that i he had. been approached hy a memI her of Redcastle Collegr for a do« i nation towardsj the funds of the College, but he had explained that i the Board was a public body and ! would be unable to make such a i contribution. j Members thought it would he j quite wrong to make a donation i for the purpose suggested and the request was declined. It was decided to reduce the commercial lighting charges from 9d to 8d per unit for the first three units per 100 watts installed, all further units to be 6d. • On the suggestion ot the engineer manager the Board decided to protest against the gazetting of regulations before an opportunity was given for their consideration. The question of advertising was brought up by Mr Dalmer and it was decided to hold the matter over, Mr MeDiarmid remarking that excellent results were being obtained by a personal canvas. Sub-Committee's "Report. The committees met on March 21st and report as follows: — House, wiring department. — The engineerf and manager to supply a report as to the advisability of plateing the house-wiring in a separate department under a' responsible officer who will act under the supervision of the engineer-manager. Driving licenses. — Recommending the Board to pay for driving licenses for those members of the staff who require them for Board business.

Transport. — The question of handing in the Overland car as part payment for a new one had been held over in the meantime. Golf club. — Recommending that the North Otago Club be asked for a guarante of £25 peryannum, this amount- to also incluue the guarantee for the old links. Office equipment — Recommending the purckase of a ledger posting machine at a total cost of £525. Ajcccunts. — Recommending for payment accounts as per account hook amounting to £5254 17s 4d. Office Facilities. The engineer-manager submitted a report on the rieed for improbing the office facilities and suggested the purchase of a lejdger posting machine at a total cost of £525. Mr Dalmer added that he had receibed p-articulars of an other machine costing £260, and he suggested that if the Board decided to go in for a ledger posting machine, they should investigate the working of the cheaper one.. The chairman thought they should adopt the sub-committee's recommendation to purchase a posting and" addressing machine at a total cost of £525. The engineer-manager said the matter was exceedingly urgent as they would soon he starting a new year. If they were to carry on as they had been doing they would have to employ more hands. Mr Mclnnes said he had seen the machine working and he thought it was a wonderful piece of mechan- i ism. j It was decided to purchase a i machine and the engineer was j authorised to investigate the work- j ing of the two machines submitted. j Source of Supply. s The chairman stated that he had received a letter from the South Canterhury Chamher of Commerce * advising that the Minister of Pub- . lic Works had agreed to visit Timaru regarding prospective sources of hydro-eleciric supply for South Canterbury and North Otago. Mr Forrester said the Minister would probably visit Timaru on Tuesday next and they were invited to be present. Mr Gardiner said Timaru would push for Tekapo and they should make a strong representation to get the Kurow scheme. Mr MeDiarmid said it had been agreed not to boost any particulai scheme. Mr Gardiner: Are fchey keeping to their promise in Timaru? I think they are not. He had heard that South Canterhury was pushing hard for Tekapo. Mr MeDiarmid: The general impression' we got from South Canterhury was that they were indifferent what scheme was adopted. A deputation, consisting of the chairman, engineer-manager, Messrs E. P. Lee, M.P., W. H. Frith and J. MeDiarmid was appointed to attend the meeting in Timaru next week.