POWER BOARD OFFICES.

Shannon News, 19 January 1923, Page 4

POWER BOARD OFFICES.

NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN WORKSHOPS. At the meeting of the Horowhenua Power Board on Saturday, a discussion ensued on the location of the offices and whether they should'be included in the same building in which the workshops will be located.

Mr A. A. Brown stated that he had received a letter from Mr A. Mackay, of Paekakariki, a member of the Board, who was unable to be present that day. Mr Mackay wished to move that the Engineer be instructed to include or add to plans for workshops and cottages as previously instructed, plans for offices and boardroom, etc., and to provide alternative estimates for building in brick and reinforced concrete, and report to next meeting. The Chairman (Mr G. A. Monk) said lie was personally of opinion that the Board’s offices should be as central as possible. They should consider the public a little, and a central office should be secured for that reason. Mr D. W. Matheson said the Borough Council had in mind the building of offices in Levin, and if the Power Board would get an estimate of what it required in the way of office accommodation it was the thing the Council wanted. He did not think there was a hope of the Board building Cheaper than the Council, and did not agree with the erection of offices at Weraroa. The offices should be sen'tral and convenient to the business quarter of the town. Mr A. Seifert agreed with the Chairman that the public should he considered and the offices erected as central „as possible. He asked if the Engineer had sufficient accommodation at present. The Engineer said he had for the present, but an extension would be required at an’ early date. The chairman said Mr Mackay’s idea of bringing the matter up was apparently to save money, but they had to look further than that.

Mr C. Kilsby said the Board should build its own offices and place them at Weraroa, where they would be convenient for the outside people as well as those of Levin. It was a question that wanted going into thoroughly. Centralisation, so far as their buildings were concerned, was important. The Chairman said if the Board decided to have its offices at Weraroa, they should be in a separate building, and not as part of the workshop. Mr W. H. Gunning supported having the offices in a central position in the business part of the town. If, however, they were put on the Weraroa ground, they should be in a separate building. In any case, Weraroa was not the place for offices. Mr Brown pointed out that Mr Mackay only asked for plans of offices and boardrom, not for the erection of them.

The Chairman said the point the Board should settle right away was should they include the offices in the storeroom at Weraroa.

Mr Matheson moved, and Mr Seifert seconded, that the offices be not included in the storerooms This was carried unanimously. Mr Brown said the motion passed did not touch Mr Mackay’s proposition, and he moved it accordingly on Mr Mackay’s behalf.

Mr Barber said the point whether the offices should be built" on the land they had purchased at Weraroa or placed in Levin should be settled.

Mr Matheson again referred to the Borough Council and its building proposals. It would expedite matters and be of assistance if the Board could state definitely what its office requirements would be.

It was then decided that the Engineer and secretary go into the question of office accommodation required, and that the architect be asked to prepare a sketch plan for next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS. Mr Kilsby asked, on behalf of the Otaki Borough Council, whether there was any likelihood of the Board purchasing the motor ambulance which the Council had for sale. The Engineer said he had not had time to inspect it, but would do so at the first opportunity.

The question of the purchase - of a site for the Shannon sub-station was left to Messrs. Gunning, Seifert and the Engineer, with power to act.