OTAKI'S ELECTRIC LIGHT SCHEME.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 6 February 1920, Page 3

OTAKI'S ELECTRIC LIGHT SCHEME.

WHY THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED.

FUTURE ACTION OF THE BOARD

' ' Mr D. J. Reardon, electrical engineer, waiter! on the Otaki I own ! Board at its meeting last night. Mr ' Reardon stated that all were aware that the Board was now differently constituted to that when the matter of. the electric lighting scheme was first introduced. Two worthy members had passed to the Brcat Beyond, while two Others were not now members-. It would be seen from this that the Board was practically a new one, but still, no doubt, the members were conversant with all particulars. Mr Reardon stated the work had steadily. progressed till.

the war had pat an end to it for the time being, but now that that was over he wished to know it' the Hoard intended to go on with the scheme or b't it drop. He had done a good deal oi work, and was prepared to proceed, bn: he thought the Hoard should declare its policy, and the question was. Vvhni w«.the Board going to do? . In answer to a question *\ v < <*m. Noble, Mr Kea-rdon said the Hoard could pay out of ordinary fends topreparatory work, and then repay, n the money was raised, from i tic loan. It was stated by-the l 'len; thai both Messrs Brown and Field had done their lies! to secure the loan money, but tins statement was questioned by a "unssioner. Com. Oiliver said the Board had cm tered into a contract and i.aoio Mr Bourdon. He was of the opinion that the Board should persevere and take steps to secure a loan. Othei members said as the loan had In cu sanctioned by the ratepayers ihe Hoard should do its best to secure the light. It was feared by Com. OHiver that it they waited .for the Mangahao scheme they might be left, lamenting, as ali available power would probably be needed for larger centres. He stated j

that the Wuirarapa had wine to this conclusion, and had decided to work independently. The Chairman slated that if the Board was liable t" Mr Reardon it would have to pay, but he presumed from Mr Reardon's remarks that that gentleman would be agreeable to wait, provided the Board did its best to U" on with the scheme. Mr Reardon said this was and h. would not have troubled the Board onh for the fact that Mr Brown was vacating the chair. He thought it it was going to do anything the Board should get busv. He wished for a definite statement to be made. A resolution that the Board «n deavotir to secure the loan money "'as shelved, an amendment being carriedto the effect that the matter <d tin* loan be held in abeyance tor three months, information re loan to be sought from the Bovcrnment in the meantime. The question of the Board having signed u:i agreement with Mr Reardon, contrary to Mr Kirk's legal advice, was mentioned. It was pointed out that the Board had acted to accordance with Mr Kirk V advice, out that another agreement of a totally didcront nature hau been prepared, and th..was the agreement signed. A letter was read from the Municipal Solicitor in reply to the Board as to

whether the Board could be held per sonally liable for an engineer'.-, cun' mission for report, plans. i" nection with the proposed elect rilighting scheme. Mr Martin (solicit-r stated members were only personaii;liable when they had agreed to pay -.u to guarantee payment, or where ta-:y had entered into some contract out side their statutory powers. —Received