HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

Shannon News, 24 May 1929, Page 4

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING. The Horowhenua Electric Power Board held its annual meeting in the Municipal Chambers, Levin, on Tuesday, when the results of the elections of all the representatives were announced, .liese being as follows: — I-lutt County, Mr A. J. Petherick; Manawutu County,. Mr W. E. Barber; Horowhenua County, Messrs G. A. Monk,-A. Seifert and T. G. Vincent; Shannon Borough, Mr A. E. Hyde; Foxton Borough, Mr Robt. Bryant; Otaki Borough, Mr E. S. Morse; Levin Borough, Mr C. Blenkhorn. All were present, with-the addition of. the Secretary and Treasurer (Mr P. W. Goldsmith) and the Engineer (Mr J. A. Smith). CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED.

Nominations having been called for by the Secretary for the office of chairman for the ensuing year, it was proposed by Mr Seifert and seconded by Mr Morse that Mr Monk be again appointed. There being no other nominations, Air Alonk was declared duly elected.

After taking hi; seat, Air Monk returned thanks for his Vre-election and said he had no reason to believe that the position was particularly his own, but he did feel, when the election was unanimous, as this was, .that it was the Board’s desire that he should continue. The affairs of the Board were in a very sound position, and any member who might have been elected chairman could carry on quite well. While the Board had not done anything spectacular, there, had been a gradual and sure progress; the whole structure had been built on a perfectly solid basis, and the members could look, to the future with a feeling that nothing veiyy untoivard was likely to happen. Although there had been one or two unexpected difficulties in the last two years, such as the power shortage at Alangahao and labour troubles at the flaxmills,, the Board could go ahead with a 1 good deal of confidence, because the load was growing and the Board’s position was becoming a good deal more sound. The Chairman hook

■.he opportunity of -welcoming Air Hyde,* and said that it must be with a good deal of satisfaction that most of the members had been returned unopposed, as indicating the attitude of the electors to the Board’s operations. In one case there had been a contest; Mr Blenkhorn had been opposed, probably not through any feeling against die Board’s operations, but simply on account of the desire of another gentleman to serve on the Board. The Chairman added that he felt sure, that Air Hyde would find the work interesting, and that, with his abilities, lie would be , very helpful to the Board. APPRECIATION UF MR GUNNING’S SERVICES. The Chairman moved that the very fine services rendered by Air W. II. 1 Gun nil g, tire former Snannon representative, and one of the earliest members of the Board, be placed on record. He stated that he had a very good knowledge of ihe excellent service given by Air Gunning in the Board’s very early days, and of the sound business grip which he had brought to bear on . all the affairs of the Board, on which he had left. an indelible mark.

Mr Seifert seconded the motion. He congratulated the Chairman on' his reelection; he knew that the members would do very well under Mr Monk’s leadership, because 'that gentlemen had the knack of getting work put through expeditiously and very pleasantly, lie complimented Mr Hyde on being able to join the Board, though he regretted that illness should have prevented Mr Gunning , from serving and from attending the meetings held during the latter part of his term. ■He had always admired Mr Gunning’s sound-com-mon sense and his enterprise for the advancement of the district.

< THE RECENT CONTEST. Mr Blenkhorn said lie appreciated the remarks which the Chairman had made about the recent contest. He had not previously known his opponent, Mr A. A. Brown, but before the contest was over they had become the best of friends. The motive 'that had actuated Mr Brqwn was that of giving service, and he would have been a painstaking representative of the Borough on the Board.. Mr Barber supported the remarks of the Chairman in reference to Mr Gunning, and welcomed Mr Hyde. Speeches on kindred lines were made by Messrs Vincent, Morse, Petheriek and Bryant. , The motion was carried by acclamation.

Mr Hyde said he felt quite proud to take up his position. His only regret was that he was filling the place of Mr Gunning on account of the latter’s illness.. The work which the speaker would, try to do during his term of Office would be in the best interests of the Board.

The Engineer’s annual report (to be published later) was adopted, after which the following committees were set up:—

Committee: The Chairman and 'Messrs Seifert and Vincent. Comiriittee to consider the estimates to be placed before the Board: The Finance Committee, with tlie addition of Mr Blenkhorn.