THAMES NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164, 14 July 1930, Page 3

THAMES NEWS.

I ELECTRICITY CHARGES UP. HAURAKI PLAINS HIGHWAYS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Sunday. Consumers of electricity in the Borough of Thames received a shock when they found that their charges accounts for their last month's electricity had jumped up from 25 to nearly 40 per cent above those for the same period last year. It is asserted by many of _ the consumers that the quality of the lighting current has been distinctly inferior during the last month or two. Mr. L. Griffin, tin borough electrical engineer, stated that lie had made inquiries into several of the complaints, and in some cases had found an increase in consumption by the consumer. He was making a thorough investigation to endeavour to ascertain the cause of the increase, but at the present time the only explanation he could offer was that the consumers must be using more electricity. Mr Griffin said that the etopping ot Arapuni apparently did not seriously affect the situation at Thames. Auckland-Thames Highway. Motorists who use the main AucklandThames highway across the Hauraki Plains will be pleased to hear that the Highways Board has approved of the tarsealing of the main highway through that 'county. Mr. W. Madgwiek, the newly appointed chairman of the county council, having demonstrated the benefits of tar-sealing in his own riding, had the councillors accompany him on a trip through Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. It is now the intention of the council to tar-seal at least ten miles of its main roads each year, and the first section to be undertaken will be the AucklandThames main road at Waitakaruru. How far the county council will proceed with the scheme depends entirely upon the subsidies and grants forthcoming from the Government. Services Recognised. To show their appreciation of the many services rendered to the district for the last fifteen years by Mr. and Mrs. D. J. O'Connell, the settlers of the Kopuarahi district tendered them a social evening. In proposing their health, Mr. W. E. Hale said there never was any progressive movement or any benevolent work organised in -which Mr. and Mrs. O'Carroll were not the prime movers. Mr. J. C. Miller, an old friend of Mr. and Mrs. O'Carroll eulogised their good work, and presented Mr. O'Carroll with a gold watch and chain, and Mrs.

] O'Carroll with a silver tea set and oak 1 tray. During the evening, community : singing was indulged in, and songs were ! rendered by Mesdames J. Flynn, L. ' I James, R. Whelan, V. Marceau and Mr. AT). J. O'Carroll.