POWER BOARD PROPOSED

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8629, 9 July 1924, Page 5

POWER BOARD PROPOSED

OPOTIKP AND WHAKATANE Representatives of the Opoliki local bodies met at the Borough Chambers on Friday night, to consider tin- report of Messrs Vickerman and* Lancaster. The Mayor (Mr G. S. Moody) presidedThe report of Messrs Yickerman and Lancaster was taken as read. Then Mr Hathaway read a letter from Mr Lancaster in which he recommended a power board for the Opotiki and Whakalane districts tcn obtain an electrical supply from ‘‘Hell’s Gate,” and suggested as the first step that the signatures of 25 per cent of the ratepayers in the proposed . power district be obtained. In another letter Mr Lancaster said he had interviewed several representative public men in the Whakatane district, and expressed 4 the opinion that the proposed power board and supply would be welcomed in that district. He recommended a* conference of the local bodies of the two districts. Mr Y oung suggested a conference of the four local bodies. Mr Reid said they could not take up the local scheme as it was too* big for . the district. Messrs Viclcerman and Lancaster recommended that they join In with Whakatane.

Mr Fleming; pointed out that the engineers estimated that tlie revenue in the case of tire local scheme would he Just over' the operating costs. They did not know that the local scheme was beyond them. It was quite feasible if they could get the revenue, that was estimated in the report. He believd in combination to get the best scheme, but if. after a conference, did i><>t combine with Whakatane, it would he worth while to canvass the district and see if they could get sufficient support for the loco], scheme;, The estimate of revenue 111I 11 the report was very conservative-. If they started without a loss, the revenue would increase immediately. It was only since the people of Tauranga, had proposed to* come into l this end of the Bay 1 that the suggestion had been made to bring in Whakatane. The Mayor: There is not the slightest doubt that is the position.

Mr Reid : I am not thinking of Tauranga. I am going on the figures in the report. Mr Merry pointed out that in faking in Whakatane they would have to* take in the borough scheme, which cost £50.000. Mr Hathaway: Tiles estimate does not include the reticulation of the Whakatane county. ' Mr Upton doubted if the Whakatan© borough was taken into 1 consideration in the report. ■ Mr Reid pointed out that with a, large scheme they would- be able tel supply power at very much less. Mr Young expressed the opinion that the local scheme at £116,000 would pay them. Consumption would increase after it was started. Mr Hathaway r Mr Lancaster said that his estimate of the revenue was very conservative. Mr Young: The cost of the scheme might not exceed £IOO,OOO. On the motion of Mr Young, seconded by Mr Reid, it was decided to invite the 1 Whakatane local bodies tc meet the Opotiki local bodies in conference at Whakatane on a. date to he arranged. The Mayor suggested that they ask Mr Vickerman cr Mr Lancaster to attend the conference. It was thereupon resolved to l advise the engineers by telegram when the the date of the conference has been fixed.