THE OTAKI WAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1922. POWER BOARD ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, 6 February 1922, Page 2

THE OTAKI WAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1922. POWER BOARD ELECTIONS.

Hydro-electric power is about to enter upon an important phase of it. development. on this coast by the settingup under statutory authority of the Board which is to control the distribution of our allotment of enetgy from the Mangaliao generating station. The preliminary work has been efficiently carried out by the provisional committee representing the constituent local bodies. On Wednesday the electors will be called upon to select their permanent representatives on the Hurowhenua Power Board, in some eases members have been elected unopposed and in others, notably the Horowltenua County, them is keen competition for the places to be tilled. Whatever is the outcome Of the elections where necessary tlie Horowltenua district is assured of a strong and capable Board. The members already elected form a nucleus of the right type to guide an undertaking of this nature toward the desired end. It must be remembered that the I'ower Boards are in no sen-e local governing bodies. They are more akin to the directorates of large trading companies. Their main function will be to take over from the State in bulk their districts’ share of hydro-electric power and to retail it to the consumers as a commercial commodity. Preliminary to that they must undertake the provision of a network of transmission lines that will give equal opportunities to town and country alike of securing power and light at the cheapest rates possible. Business ability will therefore be an essential requirement in members of the .Bc&rd and the hew body is fcrttinatcin having offeied to it the services ox so many men who combine administtative experience with business acumen. The members already elected include Mr Barber and member/ of the Mar.award and Hun County Councils: Mr D. W. Mathesorr, Mayor of Levin, and an energetic and progressive public man; i' r. C. Kilsby, of Otaki. whose knowledge of the requirements of the primary industries go hand in hand with a keen appreciation of the value of cheap power, both to agricultural pursuits and Boroughs like our own. and Mr W. H. Gunning, of Shannon. a successful businessman with a first-hand acquaintance with modem hvdro-electrrcal developments in An-

erica that should be helpful. Fenton Borough has the choice of tiro candidates in the Mayor. Mr Ch ry *t &U 3 and

Cr. Whibley. Horowhcnua County is entitled to u three representatives and five candidates offer themselves. The County v Chairman, I\lr G. A. Monk, has been chairman of the Provisional Commit - iee and has presided over that body 1 with the same marked ability that .characterises his conduct of County t business. His grasp of hydro-electric 1 matters should certainly ensure his election to the Board. Other candi- . dates are Mr A. A. Brovin, of Waika- , nae, with a long experience of the flaxmilling industry; Mr W. t>. Adkin, of Levin, u progressive farmer, who before going on the land acquired a complete knowledge of the woollleu industry in its manufacturing and commercial branches; Or. C. I. liarkncss, a dairy farmer with previous banking l and commercial training; and Mr Alfred Eeifert. head of the great Mirannui flax-milling concern and a director of industry who is well abreast of modern industrial developments, both by actual engagement in big enterprises and by close investigation in America.. i It will be seen therefore that the Horowhenua County has an exceptional choice before it and that, whoever is "elected, its representatives oil the new Board will bring to the solution of its Lilicuilics tlie fruits of matured iiusiless and administrative experience, flic Horowheium district will therefore commence its career under auspicious 1 mnditioiis. Its initial problem will irobablv be the necessity of reticulatng the district in time to be in a posiion to take the power when it is ready. It is not fully realised yet that energy from Mangaliao will be available by the end of next year, probably sooner. A vast amount of preparatory work is repaired to be done in the power districts oefore then and the new Horowhcnua Board will be well advised to heed the repeated Ministerial advice to push forward the reticulation of the territory with all speed.