MOVING WITH THE TIMES.

Shannon News, 22 November 1929, Page 1

MOVING WITH THE TIMES.

POWER BOARD TO INSTAL A BOOK-KEEPING MACHINE.

v An important step was taken by the Horowhenaa Power Board yesterday, in authorising the purchase of a bookkeeping machine, which is to be installed about the end of the presont financial year. This decision was arrived at as the result of investigations by a committee sot up for the purpose.

In a report to the Board, the committee stated that the accountant (Mr P. J. Bamsay) placed before them what he considered the advantages of installing a Burroughs’ book-keeping machine, both from the standpoint of efficient office work, and also from that

of economy, because, on the present secretary’s retirement, it would be necessary to engage another officer if the machine was not installed. A saving in salary could thus be effected, if the machine were procured, which would be sufficient to cover its entire cost in two or three years. Letters were placed before the committee from the Wan-

ganui-Bangitikei, Wairarapa, Central, Te Awamutu, and • Auckland Power Boards. In every instance the work of the Burroughs machine was commended and its suitability for Power Board work emphasised. It was also shown that the work of the machine was not difficult, and that most office girls, after about a week’s tuition and over sight were able to carry on satisfactor-

ily. The presentative of the Burroughs ’ Machine Manufacturing Com pany was present and answered questions as to the life of the machine and many items of information desired by the committee. The representative

stated that the company undertook all repairs, replacements, and maintenance of the machine itself for the sum of £7 10s per annum.. The company’s expert mechanics were available at call whenever wanted. The price of the

latest model of the machine, he stated, was £475, less 5 per cent, discount for cash. There was an earlier model, which was used by most of the Power Boards, at a cost of £4OO, less the usual 5 per-cent, discount for cash, and this was quite satisfactory and did good ■'work. The newer model was simpler and quicker and would be in every way the better machine for use if there

should be at any time a considerable increase in business. In setting up a machine which w T as electrically driven,

there were other cost 3 such as the providing traya, trolley for same, cards, index, etc., which would mount up to pretty well £SO. After a long discussion the Committee favoured the newer model machine, and unanimously recommended to the Board: “That steps be taken to purchase and instal a Burroughs book-keep-ing machine with the necessary equipment, at a nett cost of £451 os for the machine, plus the necessary equipment, bringing up the total cost to about £500.”

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the machine would have to be purchased out cf revenue. The time had long passed when the Board could obtain office requisites with loan money. The machine had not been exhibited to the committee, but they were led to understand that it was efficient. The Burroughs adding machine which the Board already had was efficient, but the bookkeeping machine had a much larger scope. Mr Barber seconded the motion. He thought it was a move in the right direction and in the interests of efficiency.

Mr Seifert stated that the idea was to purchase the machine at the end of the financial year. The report was adopted.