POWER BOARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1938, Page 8

POWER BOARD

TRANSFER OF THE HEAD OFFICE NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. DECISION AT TODAY’S MEETING. (“Times-Age” Special.) A proposal by Mr H. P. Hugo that the head office of the Wairarapa Power Board should be moved from Carterton to Masterton was defeated by five votes to four at the meeting of the board in Carterton today. Mr Hugo moved: “That providing satisfactory arrangements can be made for the sale or lease of the Carterton premises, and for the provision of suitable accommodation in Masterton.'the head office be transferred from Carterton to Masterton. With this end in view, the Sec-retary-Manager be authorised to negotiate, and to discuss offers.” An amendment was moved by the chairman (Mr A. C. Pearce): —“That no action regarding the shifting of the head office from Carterton to Masterton be taken. The amendment was carried by five votes to four, the voting being:— For the amendment: Messrs A. C. Pearce, W. A. Tate, M. B. Tait, C. R. Holmes and W. Howard Booth. Against the amendment:—Messrs S. Dalgleish, J. W.-Colquhoun, F. C. Daniell and H. P. Hugo. In moving his motion, Mr Hugo said it could be only a matter of time before the head office was transferred to Masterton. . . '

Mr Daniell, who seconded the motion, said a transfer to Masterton would become necessary sooner’ or later. In arriving at any decision, members would have to prove to the ratepayers that it was a sound economic proposition and not just a matter- of sentiment. Should the resolution be carried, he urged that it should not confine the board to the present Masterton site, which he considered was entirely unsuitable, apart from the fact that it would cost £4OO to shift the existing transformers. The matter should be gone into carefully as a commercial proposition. Inhere was no question of fixing any definite date for shifting. The change might not take place for another two years. Mr Holmes said he saw no reason .'or shifting the head office. “It would be the consumers’ money we would be spending,” he added, “and if we have any to spare we should hand it back to them.” The chairman, Mr Pearce, said that in his opinion the time would come when it would be found beneficial to shift the head office to Masterton, but that time had not yet arrived. The consumers were not suffering because the head office was located in Carterton. “I do not think,” he added, “that the expenditure involved would warrant a change at the present stage, although I will admit that from an administration point of view it would be an advantage. That advantage, however, will -become more marked in years to come.” Mr Pearce then moved his amendment. Mr Tate: “The question iS* what is the best financial proposition and, with the exception of those relating to the showroom, these figures do not prove it would be better to go to Masterton. I do not think we should make any alteration at the present time. The question of compensation for the employees throws an entirely different light on the matter.” Messrs Dalgliesh and Colquhoun supported the motion and Mr Daniell said the amendment closed the door to further negotiations. Mr Tate: “Show me that it is a financial proposition and I will support it.” Mr Hugo: “It will have to come and the sooner the better for the working of the board.” The secretary-manager, Mr G. Brown, said that six of the seven married employees of the board in Carterton owned their own houses. Mr Booth: "Would it be worth changing to Masterton for a saving of £277?” Mr Hugo: “Yes.” Mr Booth: “Can you sell or lease the Carterton premises? I say no.” Mr Colquhoun said the amendment would tie the hands of the board. Mr Holmes: "It would be a wilful waste of consumers' money.” The amendment was carried, as stated, Mr Pearce remarking: “We will be looking forward to you bringing it up again.” Mr Hugo: “I will, all right.” Mr Holmes: “Make it a hardy annual.”