POWER BOARD STAFF.

Shannon News, 24 July 1925, Page 3

POWER BOARD STAFF.

MR OVERTON'S RETIREMENT,

APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICES.

At luesday's meeting oi the Horowhenua Power Board, tlie sation of tile staif was dealt with, consequent upon Mr T. 11. Overton's appointment as Chief Engineer terminating, and his acceptance of a similar position under the Franklin uoaiu, which Has its Headquarters at Pukekohe. Mr Overton wrote stating his term oi office as Engineer would he comI pleted at the end of Julv and lie tendered his formal resignation as from that date. "in doing so," he added, "1 wish t 0 express my profound thanks lor the manner in which the members of the Boa-rd and the chairman have always treated me, both as an officer of 'the Board and as a In end. 1 am deeply interested in the weliaie of this Board, and always will he,- and I know the Board's operations are going to be successful." The chairman (Mr G. A. Monk) said he would like to express his appreciation, and that of the Board, and the whole district of the very excellent work done by Mr Overton so far as this Board's area was concerned. The members oi the Board at the outset were entirely new to the work and , knew nothing whatever about it. I While they might pat themselves on the back if or the selection of Mr Overton, they had had to place themselves unreservedly in' his hands and trust him implicitly. He had kept that trust and to-day they saw their district practically reticulated from end to end and his scheme in 'Operation. Mr Overton bad done his dutv and faithfully carried out the whole work, and the Board could express to him its very hearty appreciation for that work and wish him every success in the future. He could safely say that Mr Overton was well on the way in his career of a successful constructional engineer. As man to man, the chairman said that at all times lie had found Mr Overton not afraid to express an ■ opinion and speak out about anything wrong. The chairman concluded by referring to the friendly relations that had always existed between the retiring engineer and the Board. (Applause). Mr Overton acknowledged the chairman's remarks briefly thanking the Board for its appreciation. On the motion of Messrs Mackay and Gunning, Mr Overton's resignation as engineer was. accepted and a letter of appreciation of his past services is to be forwarded to him. The chairman said Mr Overton would be willing to act as consulting engineer for a period of twelve months at a salary of £251) per annum, this, to entail responsibility fertile lay-out of constructional work, liberty to call upon liim at any time for reports and inspections, and monthly visits of about five days for the first three months, thereafter every two months. This was agreed to by the Board. The chairman presented the following further recommendations, which were considered in committee and agreed to:— "The the present assistant engineer, Mr Smith, be appointed. Engineer to the Board at a salary of £SOO per annum.

"That Mr Jack, Installation Inspector take charge of all installation work in the B6ard*s district and that his salary be increased to £350 per annum. "That Mr Walker's salary as line foreman be raised to £4OO per annum and that his rental for house be £7B per annuim. "That Mr Slevin's assistant be placed under the supervision of Mr Jack and remain in Otaki. The chairman communicated the Board's decision to Mr Smith, who thanked the Board for the appointment and assured the, members that he would do everything possible in their interests and the interests of lhe consumers. Mr SlevJn, installation inspector at Otaki, forwarded his resignation owing to his having accepted a position at Franklin. On the motion of Messrs Brown and Ross it was decided that Mr Slevin's resignation as from 31st July be accepted and that a letter of appreciation be sent to him and to Mrs Slevin, thanking her for her attention to' ! the telephone in receiving messages on the Board's business.