ELECTRIC POWER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 127, 25 November 1938, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER

UNSERVED AREAS

LITTLE DEMAND BY

RESIDENTS

HUTT VALLEY BOARD

A comprehensive report. on areas within the district of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board which are not 'at present served by the board has fceen prepared by Mr. E. F. Hollands, the board's engineer and general manager. A map of the localities has also been prepared.

The three districts not served are Judgeford, Kaitoke, and Wainui-o-Mata. After particulars of these districts had been ascertained from maps at the Hutt County offices, a preliminary survey was made. Mr. Hollands then dealt with each district separately. On three previous occasions Judgeford was canvassed thoroughly, the last occasion being in Odtober, 1934. At that time, , Mr. Hollands reported fully to the board. It was found that the residents could not be signed up on a guarantee, and that not 50 per; cent, of the residents' of the area were interested. The present preliminary survey disclosed 21 buildings within the area that could use electricity if it was made available. There were twelve houses of five rooms or over, six cot- ■ tages of four "rooms and under,; a church, a school, and a golf clubhouse. The area unreticulated to serve these* premises would be approximately four miles of line with the necessary substations as required according to load. He was of the opinion from previous canvassing of the area that a number of the smaller dwellings would not connect up, some of the buildings being very old. The. Kaitoke area was canvassed during March, 1936, by authority of the board. The present survey dis- : closed a total of 26 premises within .'—the area that could use electricity if it were made available. There were four houses of five or more rooms, seven cottages of four rooms, twelve cottages of three robms and,under, a school, a railway station, and a Public Works Department camp. The area unreticulated to serve these premises without service lines was about seven miles, including "two tap* off lines. Sub-stations would have to be erected according to itiad. The board's efforts in 1936 were futile, less than 25 per dent. Of the total number interviewed being interested. As it was possible that the railway station would be taieen down on completion of the proptt&ed »;unnel ( this could be discounted as a possible consumer. Tie Public Works Department advised that it was not intended to use power at the camp. WAINUI-O-MATA SURVEY. The present survey of Wainui^o-Mata disclosed a total of 64 premises. There were 35 houses of four rooms and OVer, eight cottages of three rooms each, seven dairy sheds, two social halls, a store, and a school. The area unreticulated to serve these premises was approximately 22 miles, including Fitz- ' herbert Road and Moore's Valley Road. The "majority of the Fitzherbert Road premises were at the far end. Included in the survey was Mr. E. Riddiford's property, Which had its own generating plant to supply all energy used on the property. Mr. Hollands stated that to make up estimates for reticulation would entail much time and expense. In his opinion should such districts require energy, they should petition the boar?d, and authority Should then be given for a complete Survey. Mr. Hollands indicated the various points of the survey on the map ? to members of the board at yesterday afternoon's meeting. "This survey has demonstrated that the reticulation Could be carried 6Ut at a considerable cost," said the chairman (Mr. A. W. Press), "and that there would not be much fetutn. Residents do not appear to be generally in favour and when they are it will be time enough for us. td iriOVe." It was decided lidt id proceed With a complete SUfV^