ADVANCE METHVEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9654, 10 July 1919, Page 2

ADVANCE METHVEN

ELECTRiGJTY SUPPLY PROPOSALS.

'On Monday evening last, a meeting xas held in the Public Hall, Methven, under the auspices of the Canterbury Progress League, to put before the public of the district the benefits that will accrue to it by the advent of,the Lake Coleridge current. Mr J. Cnrr, chairman of the Road Board, presided, and there was a very large and representative attendance of the public; including quite a number of ladies.

The meeting was first addressed by Mr G. H. Holford, B.Ag. He gave a most interesting address on farming in Canterbury, and the great need 6f improved methods of plant breeding and laying down pastures, air Holford also showed a most interesting series of lantern slides, illustrating the progress of farming methods. Mr P. Climie, the Progress League's ;brganiser, spoke on the advantages of electricity in a farming district, and showedi, a moving picture to illustrate what ife had said. He strongly advised the Methven people ,to get ready so that they would be in a position to receive the current as soon as it was available. . '■;■•

Air. Templin, who has reticulated some of the country districts in Canterbury, explained that the ColeridgeTimaru line would probably pass within a mile or two of Methven, where a sub-station would be installed. He expressed the opinion that the current would be available in 18 months or two .years; that the township itself was a splendid nucleus to start with, and within a year of operations being commenced, 80 per cent, of the houses would avail themselves of the light. With regard to light and power on the farms, he said, that where the farms were not too far apart the supply of current would be a payable concern both to the suppliers and to the farmer; if a farm was a long distance from the %ntre and isolated, it would probably »§> necessary for the consumer himself to pay part of the capital cost of taking the line to his property. The cost of lighting an ordinary house Mr Tomplin estimated at Is to Is 6d per light per month, according to the candle-power. This means that a smallcottage would be lit for £3 or £4 a year, and larger homes in proportion, the speaker said that the present cost of installing light in a home was approximately £2.10s a point, a house, therefore, with six lights and an attachment for a kettle or iron would mean 7 points, and the cost, roughly, £17 10s, which, of course, has to be borne by the owner. The cost of power of the property on the farm, he said, depended on the nature of the machinery to be driven, the Public Works Department having a scale of rates for the different purposes. He mentioned milking plants as being one of the cheapest on the list, considering the constant use to which they were put. Before the meeting closed, Mr Climie urged the formation'of a branch of the Canterbury Progress League, which was accordingly done, the following being elected a committee in the meantime:—Messrs Morgan, Horsfield, Campbell, Smith, McFarlane, Dickie, Tomlinson, Rev. G. K. Aitken and all the members of the Road Board. Mr T. Doherty was appointed delegate to represent the branch at the Leaguo's annual meeting at Christchurch. Mr X Carr will represent the Road Board. . . A vote of thanks was tendered to the speakers, and a most successful and instructive meeting'was brought to

a close,