CONCERN OF ALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 9

CONCERN OF ALL.

POWER LOAN FOR £675,000. SATISFACTION IN AUCKLAND AREA. BIGGER LOAD; REDUCED CHARGES. "We are anxious to create Interest in next Wednesday's loan poll. Those who have electricity may think it is no concern of theirs, but we feel it concerns the present consumer as much as the man waiting for a supply. The more extensive the undertaking becomes the greater is the opportunity of charges ibeing reduced."

This statement was made by the chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board (Mr. W. J. Holdsworth) in speaking at a luncheon at Papakura yesterday, during the course of the board's tour of the outskirts of its district. Members of the board met deputations at Alfriston, Clevedon, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Manurewa, and Mangere, and with one exception received expressions of satisfaction from the settlers in those areas as to the service being given them. Mr. Holdsworth added that if the loan for £675,000 was sanctioned it would enable the board to complete the reticulation of practically the whole of its area, strengthen existing facilities in districts that had grown rapidly, and provide for anticipated demands on its supply. "We appreciate the work you have done for our district, and we will endeavour to assist you in every way at the poll," said Mr. J. McColl, chairman of the Papakura Town Board. "There have been minor complaints, J)ut everything is now running smootlrty, and we have every satisfaction with the work in our district."

Speaking at Papatoetoe,. Mr. Holdsworth said the suburb, if the loan were carried, would have new offices and would be the centre of a large electric power area. The board's tour had been destitute of complaints, with the exception of a few at Manurewa, which were purely imaginary. Asked concerning extensions that had been made to certain areas that were sparsely settled, Mr. Holdsworth explained that the guarantees were forthcoming in each case, usually from companies. In the case of Orakei

I the Government had been asked for a guarantee in the same way as a private individual.

Mr. T. R. Smytheman, chairman of the town board, who presided, and other local body representatives voiced the opinion that Papatoetoe was well treated by the board.

Charges to be Reviewed. Journeying to Clanger* a (reputation was met at the residence of Mr. S. W. House, where Mr. Holdsworth appealed for support for the loan in order that progress- might continue unrestricted. Asked about street lighting in view of

a scheme that is proposed for Mangere, he said that there would be a review of street lighting charges, together with other charges, when hydro-electricity was received from Arapuni.

Alfriston and Clevedon were visited earlier in the day, and the settlers voiced no dissatisfaction. The former were assured that if the poll were carried extensions to their district would be proceeded with immediately, while Clevedon settlers were told that when reticulation in their area was completed stoppages that they occasionally experienced, would be eliminated. The board will probably arrange to meet residents in the inner area next week.