MANAWATU-OROUA DISTRICT’S PROGRESS.

Shannon News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

MANAWATU-OROUA DISTRICT’S PROGRESS.

The last meeting of the MauawatuOroua Electric Power District Provisional Committee (Palmerston and Feilding) was held on Monday, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presiding. The chairman reported that this would be the last meeting of the Provisional Committee, as the position now was that all the petitions asking for the formation of the Board were duly completed, and they must now be forwarded for approval to the Public Works Department, together with the plans. The Public Works Department would then, through an Order-in-Council, make the necessary proclamation if they found everything in order. There was no doubt- about that, because arrangements had been made with the Department and the plans would be accepted. The Department would then select the date for the election of the Board. In reply to Sir James Wilson, the chairman said the Department would fix the date of election themselves, hut if the committee made a recommendation on the subject, no doubt the Department would fall into line with ft. h was decided to ask the Department to allow the election to be held before December 20. The chairman raised the question as to whether the surplus funds held . by the committee should be handed over to the Board and returned by the committee to the different local authorities from whom they were on loan. Mr Oram suggested that it would be better to hand the money over to. the Board for distribution to the con-

tributary local bodies. The secretary (Mr Charles Hubbard) reported that the balance in hand was £179. On the motion of Sir James Wilson, it was decided to vote the secretary the sura of £IOO, in recognition of his services, and a vole of appreciation of his work was passed. It was also decided to ask members to put in accounts for travelling expenses, and to band the balance of the cash in band over to the Board when elected. The question of an honorarium for the chairman was raised, but he declined to accept any remuneration tor his services. The chairman returned thanks to members of the committee for their co-operation and support in regard to the work for the formation of the Board. Matters, 1m said, did not look >T®ry promising at the commencement of negotiations, but members had been able to sink their differences and get to work, with tiro result that great, strides had been made. Jt now only remained for the Board 1o be set up as soon as possible. In moving a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation, Mr "McElroy said the I committee had been exceptionally fortunate, in having lire services of such a man a 3 chairman.