HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 18 July 1922, Page 3

HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

LOAN POLL ON AUGUST 15,

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board was held in Levin this morning. Present: Messrs. .G. A. Monk (chairman), A. A. Brown (Waikanae), F. D. Whibley (Foxton), W..E. Barber (Moutoa), C. Kilsby (Otaki), A. I. McKay (Paekakariki), A- Seifert (Makerua), D. W. Matheson (Levin), and W. H. Gun* ning (Shannon).

The Mana,watu-OroUa Power Board wrote stating that, owing to the Wanganui and Horowhenua Boards deciding not to join in a joint loan, the Man’awatu Board had resolved to proceed independently with Jts loan. —Received.

CONFERENCE OF) BOARDS.

The South Auckland Power Boards League wrote stating it: had suggested to the Minister of Public Works thatriie should call a conference of Power Boards 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 the conference, at which ideas and experiences migh be exchanged. He thought, however, that the request for the conference should emanate from the boards themselves. The Chairman said 12 months ago a conference of power board representatives was held, and a great many of the amendments to the Electric Power 'Boards Act emanated from that conference. They evidently had a league of boards in the north, and perhaps a similar league might be beneficial in this part of the Dominion.

On the motion of Messrs. Matheson and Gunning, the conference proposal was supported. RAISING THE LOAN.

Th Clerk reported having enquired regarding tho raising of the loan of £260,000 for reticulation. The Prime Minister advised that he 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-Counci| could give consent to the raising of the loan. DATE OF POLL.

The Engineer, Mr Overton, advised that his present arrangements were to take up his duties in Levin on August 1, and he suggested that the Board 'Should commence its propaganda for the loan about that date.

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, and decided that it be sent to ratepayers through the post in preference to a suggestion that it be circulated by means of the schoor children. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS. The proposed programme of public meetings in connection with the loan poll was submitted and adopted with alterations as follows; Paraparaumu, August 2, 8 p.m. . Otaki, August 3, 8 p.i^. Te Horo, August 4, 1.30 p.m. .Waikanae, August 4, 7 p.m. Ohau, August 8, 1.30 p.m. Manakau, August 8, 8 p.m. Tokomaru, August 9,2 p.m. Shannon, August 9, 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 be arranged. The meetings will be addressed by the Bo'ard Chairman and the Engineer, who will explain the proposals and give all information desired. GETTING THE MONEY.

Mr 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, and they would need money. The Minister had stated that those Boards which were ready would get preference. Mr Gunning endorsed Mr Matheson’s remarks. The Minister had foreshadowed the re-allocation of They had to realise that this power’ was being developed at enormous expense, and the Government was not '' going to allocate the power to Boards that were not going to make good use , bf it. It had been suggested that the Board might, if it was not ready, 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 w'ere still good, and the Manawatu Board had been able to get an offer 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.