NEW LYNN'S ELECTRICITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 15

NEW LYNN'S ELECTRICITY.

MORE « LIGHT " WANTED.

DEPUTATION WAITS ON BOAED.

A delegation from the New Lynn Community Guild waited on the Town Board last evening in respect to the administration of the affairs of the district, particularly in regard to the reticulation of the district with electric light. Mr. Chas. Goldstone, although not a n.amber of the guild, stated that he had been asked to place certain matters before the board. Ratepayers ■were of the opinion that they had not been fully informed ac to the position of the electricity question. He contended that the people had been kept in the dark, and that the members of the board had shown lack of interest. The board had met for two periods, and nothing of a progressive nature had been inaugurated. They desired the board to place the proposed loan proposals before a public meeting fully 28 days prior to the poll. In rep-ard to the board's administration, it was claimed that the organised successful efforts that existed some years back did not now exist. It was felt in the district that the board's policy should be dictated by the chairman, and it was thought that the chairman's absence on a number of occasions had accounted for the board's lack of policy. The by-laws were being broken, and the administration waa meeting with very unfavourable comment. Mr. Gardner, in welcoming the deputation, said the board would be pleased to receive constructive criticism. It showed increased civic spirit. Destructive criticism, on the other hand, served no good purpose. In respect to the electric light, he had been at great pains to report fully to the board, and these reports were published in the Press. If the ratepayers did not want him, he was prepared to resign. He gave more time to the board's business than he did to his own. He wished Mr. Goldstone would say exactly what he wanted to know with regard to lighting. Mr. Goldstone stated that they had that evening realised the true position of affairs from the report in the "Auckland Star" of the Waitemata Power 'Board's meeting. Previously they had not known how to act in order to obtain power. Mr. Gardner explained that the reason the whole district had not been reticulated was because the Waitemata Board had objected to.certain areas as not being payable. The Auckland Board had been favourable to reticulating the whole township, and they were to get their light at 5M per unit. Residents were somewhat to blame for the present position by not sending their applications to the board. The fullest information had been given out from time to time and notices posted at the board's offices. Information in regard to the affaire of the district could always be obtained from the town clerk. Mr. Power admitted that the chairman's remarks had enlightened them considerably. It was common talk that the brickyards would get the light, but not the outlying districts. He had therefore not sent his application in. Mr. Fielding complained that the board had not carried out its intention to circularise the ratepayers setting out the position of the lighting question. He regretted that the board had signed the provisional licence. Mr. Gardner further stated that he could not see why the board had been distrusted. Rp had publicly given in- ! tprsm reports from time to time in hi.-; (MKlonvour to pet :l:c wbnlc township supplied with electric light as cheaply jas possible. Reforrinii to the genera! a<l ministration, he ventured to say that !no other body could do better than waa I be;:i;r done by the board with its present : rev.-nne. Something like 9/ per chain |wa- available for tlip roads and foot-μ-ntlis. Patching was the only method !t;:,-)t coiii.l lv» employed until the ratepayers sanctioned a loan for permanent v.ni-k. He it»ii(in*i| til- deputation that J *h< , i~s'ip-i would lie clearly put before i ;i;p ratcpnyir* before a poll was taken. i Rvcnti'iiHy Mr. Gardner agreed to meet j tl'<* <euild at a flat? to be arranged, and : cii-cii-is the points raised.