TOO MANY MEETINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 971, 14 May 1930, Page 11

TOO MANY MEETINGS

REDUCTION AGREED TO POWER BOARD DISCUSSION Feeling ran high at a special meeting of the Waitemata Power Board this morning. when the question of the frequency of meetings was again before the board. Cries of dissent and objections on points of order punctuated the suggestions of Mr. W. B. Darlow for a revision of the present system. A notice of motion had been brought forward by live members —Messrs. J. W. Hayden. J. Mackie. S. E. Kennings. W. Leighton, and G. Trevithick—as follows: “That the motion that the board meet once weekly, alternately 1 in open board and in committee, be ; rescinded." Immediately the chairman. Mr. Hayden, had thrown the motion open for discussion, Mr. Darlow was on his feet. “This is identical with the motion I moved three weeks ago. and 1 must claim the privilege of moving it again on this occasion,” he said. “It was ( lost last time by eight votes to three, so the fact that it has now been brought forward by five members shows a somersault on someone’s part.” Six weeks ago he had asked for returns concerning the expenses of other power boards throughout the Dominion. These showed that the Waitemata Board was in the worst position pf any, meeting 62 times in the year, as against an average of 22. and paying fees to members and the chairman of £1,090. against an average of £462. There was a great discrepancy shown, and it was on the grounds that finance is all-important that he had brought forward his motion. The Wellington. Dunedin, and Christchurch boards were under the control of the various city councils. and the chairman was not a paid member. Mr. Hayden: That is not a fair re- ; mark. “Only the truth offends,” retorted Mr. Darlow. The question of the number of meetings had been discussed by the board eight times of recent years, actually being increased at a meeting in 1928. He then referred to the “farcical committee meetings of the board,” earning an instant challenge from the chairman. Cries of dissent came from all sides when Mr. Darlow suggested that board members, like miners, did not like any reduction in wages. “There is no necessity for these remarks at all,” declared the chairman “The motion was circulated soveral days ago, and everyone has already decided how to vote.” Amid repeated interjections and cries of “Be fair!” Mr. Darlow then read extracts from minutes of past meetings, which he contended showed that little had been done at committee meetings. After his previous complaints regarding expenditure, the Auditor-General had come to Auckland to examine the state of accounts. The captain of the ship, seeing troubled waters ahead, had then dived overboard, said Mr. Darlow. Mr. Hayden: That is entirely wrong. My resignation from the board had nothing to do with the visit of the Auditor-General or of your accusations. Mr. Darlow: I must point out that members have since been seeking every lifeboat to keep their heads above the water, this motion being the latest of them. Further statements were lost in cries of dissent from members, in which Mr. Darlow was heard to assert that he has being gagged. “This same motion would have been carried weeks ago if you had not been so insulting in your remarks,” said the chairman. “You have heard too much for your liking,” declared Mr. Darlow. sitting down after repeated orders from the chair. The motion was then carried by eight votes to three. When the board met at 11 a m. at the annual meeting, the newly appointed chairman, Mr. G. Trevithick, moved that in future the board should meet monthly, with committee meetings when business warranted. An amendment that weekly meetings should be held, alternately in open board and in committee, was brought forward by Mr. Kennings. “The position will then be the same as before our discussion this morning,” he said. “I agreed to rescind the motion at the special meeting only in order to allow free discussion on the system.” He pointed out that frequent meetings were essential to keep in touch with the work, as otherwise too much responsibility would be thrown on the executive officers. “Other boards in the Dominion can do the same amount of work in fewer meetings,” countered Mr. Darlow. “Why can’t we reduce our number before we are bludgeoned into it by the Audit Department?” The chairman pointed out that the committee, if it met so frequently, might find itself in the position of having no business to transact. After many motions and amend-, ments had been discussed, it was agreed to meet fortnightly, alternately in open board and in committee. ,