POWER BOARD'S YEAR.

Shannon News, 27 April 1923, Page 2

POWER BOARD'S YEAR.

CHAIRMAN REV TEWS PROGRESS

The llorowhtmuu; Power Board bold iis last me amgA-oi the year lasi week, and lb a chairman, Mr G. A. Monk, took tin- opportunity lo review the Board's operations during that period. “In the lirst-instance,” "he said, T feel you are all obtaining- a deeper interest in the hushiess ui iiic I card, chiefly on account of the wider c\; alienee gained as matters develop, tnd to-day .in: each of you I can obseive a keenness to push forward the interests and welfare of this Board in a manner hitherto unexpected. ■ “It lias always given me the, greatest pleasure to preside over your i- celings, where I-liave-always 'elt Umi (he general advancement of the v. hole district is in the mind of each member assembled.

“We certainly have a goad dhtrict in which, -to - operate, and whb \ery few exceptions, a solid people to deal with, that sound economic principles arec.at.all times exercised, I see no_reason why our Power District should not. prosper and attain very good results. “Prelimin .ivy Stage.----The work cl the Boai'd has not yet .reached the constructional stage, and has therefore been of a preliminary nature. I do noi propose to enter into minor details but a brief review of the leading trailsaciions will remind you of the hnsiness which wc have dealt with. “Formation ol Board.—The distiiet was gazetted on December 1, 1921, with the apportionment of representatives as follows: Boroughs of Foxton Levin, Shannon and Otaki,. one member each; Horowhenrua County, 3 members; a part of the Awabou Biding of the Manawatu County, one member, and the Whaieroa Biding of the Halt, County, one member. The first electon took place on February 1, 1922, and resulted in the return of those present to-day, the only exception being the retirement of Mr F. Whibley, of Foxton, his place having been taken by Mr Alexander Boss.

“Loan Authority;—A loan of £260,000 was authorised by the ratepayers on the 15th of'August, 192&. and a sum of £BO,OOO has already been arranged to be uplifted in monthly instalments as required. This portion_of the loan was taken up after extensive negotiations with a large Insurance Company at 5J per cent., and I consider the Board may feel proud of the fact that it was the first Power Board to raise a loan on such favourable terms - in this country in post-war times. We made a very good start, gentlemen, and besides rendering excellent service to our own district, the way was paved for other Power Boards to follow on similar good terms.

“Commitments.—Up to date our financial commitments are as follows: Contract No. £ 1. —lron-bark poles 10,724 2. Cross-arms and sawn limber 1,225 3. High tension insulators and pins 2,665 4;—Low tension insulators and pins '• 1.031 5. Pole carting apparatus 1,339 6. —Foreman’s residence 1,325 7. Stores 'find Garage ••• 2,743 8. bare copper wire 7,782 In addition to the above contracts, other important purchases have been made as follows: - (a) Land for buildings (I.evin and Shannon), £9OO. (h) Tools and equipment (including Ford car), £516. (r) Hardware and constructional materials, £SOO. 'The total is £30,760. Contracts 9, 10 and 11 are yet to- close and will be dealt with by’the incoming Board.

“Policy—The policy of the Board so mr has been of a careful churaetoi and 1 Rust that our successors m oitice will continue on these linos. From tacts already revealed, this attitude has been more than justified, for liud we gone intensively ahead with our work in order to receive the full

measure, ui our ailolieu power lium Mdiiguiiuo ny Uie euu 01 tins yeai, W(3 would have had uieavy accounts 101 lineiest anu sinking iund during uk. current linanciul year and no revenue to assist in meeting these charges. We must remember lliat in an undertaking such as this lean years have to be faced and the worst period is when the main construction has been completed and the interest and sinking fund, besides working expenses, have to lierealised from revenue during the, firs! actual operating, year. \Y,e have, oi course, the right to coiled rates hi j meet any deficit, but 1 a.uijM opinion * that this course, while not perhaps } being a serious inaitter to the ratepayler who lias the benefit and use of ! electricity , would certainly be a. hardship to the settler in the remote parts ! of the district who may not lie reached for some years—our duty therefore, is to Keep clear of collecting rates. “During the past year enquiries have been made to me whether it is the Hoard’s intention to trade in stocks of electrical materials and install appliance*, in consumer’s premises. To ( these questions T have always replied that Ihe Hoard can do better for tire district by .adopting the policy of inviting competition-from electrical, firms for this class of work, the Board, ; however, exercising an important function in actually giving financial asistance to those who may otherwise wait for more convenient fifties. Ample provision has been made in the loan for this purpose. “Future Policy—During our short term of office, gentlemen, we have worked together in the best interests of the districts combined into this Power Hoard’s area.

“From the experience that we have had wo know that a great ileal of work is ahead of ihe incoming Board. 1 am sure their task will he found interesting. The matter of distributing and selTing electricity is highly commercial as well as technical, and whether it. falls to the lot of the farmer or shop-keeper to direct the business of the Power Board, it is well 1o remind cnoli one when they take their seat ai tlie Board’s table that, they oc-

cupy for. the time being, posts of business men, entrusted with important public transactions. “One of the early duties of the incoming Board will be the appointment of a secretary who will devote his time to the work of the Board. The arrangement thus far with the Couniv has been quite alright but the rapid growth of the Board’s business will necessitate such an officer being appointed. Our worthy secretary, Mr Goldsmith, has done excellent \vork, but with the growing clerical duties of both public bodies, present arrangements will be found inadequate. In expressing this view of the matter. T would like to make a strong recommendation to the incoming Board to recognise in some tangible wav the service's rendered by Mr Goldsmith in tlie formation and launching of our present Constitution. He has proved himself to be a really good local body man and has made a hobby as weil as a profession (of--such work. In the office work, Mr Hudson lias very ably assisted Mr Uioldsmith in connection with the Board’s-business. “Conclusion.—l would like to tender my thanks to each member for the ready assistance in all matters pertaining to the business of the Board pud the discharge of my duties as its chairman.

“The staff, though small, have al-j.c.-Miy- made their- presence felt in a zealous and ioyaj manner. “Hecent legislation has brought a built our presentation term of office in order to Power Board elceliuns into line with other local body elections, but I fee] confident that the ratepayers will adjust this curtailment by sending each of you hack as their representative on the Power Board.”

Mr Matheson congratulated the chairman on his report which covered the ground in an able and comprehensive maner. It had occurred to him also that it was time a permanent secretary was appointed. Mr McKay also congratulated the chairman and also 1 Mr Goldsmith, to whom the Board’s favourable position was due as much as to any man. He had made the business of* the. Board a very serious matter and they could not have had ai secretary who would have handled the matter better. , Mr A. Seifert added his congratulations. He had never had the opportunity of sitting under the chairman before and it had been a great pleasure to do so. The speaker had had a. certain amount of experience in this direction, but never ,under so able a chairman. The Board had been very fortunate in this respect. The report was a concise record of twelve months work and it would be valuable for reference in the future.

The meeting then adjourned, after the chairman had congratulated members of the Board who had been reelected.