ELECTRIC POWER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11830, 23 September 1935, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER

Loan Poll on Saturday Next PROPOSAL APPROVED BY TAURANGA MEETING. A meeting of ratepayers in connection with the Tauranga ElectricP°wer Board’s loan proposal for £ 40,000 was held in the Coronation Hall, Tauranga, on Saturday last. Mr Allen Smith, Chairman of the Electric-Power Board, presided, and other Board members present were Messrs H. G. Lever, H. J. Clarke and L,. E. s. Gane, also Messrs J. R. Chambers (Secretary and J R Bongard (Engineer). The Secretary, Mr Chambers, read the circular, which had been prepared and sent to all ratepayers, which set out the reasons for raising the loan, and detailing the Board’s policy, and proposed tariff reductions in the event of the proposal being sanctioned by the ratepayers. The Chairman .submitted particulars in regard to the position of loans, estimated revenue, and the increase in load, as published in Saturday’s issue in the report of the meeting at Katikati. He said Board’s loans were being repaid at the rate of over £ 3000 per annum, increased each year by four per cent, on the amounts repaid. Mr Gane said the Board had exhausted all loan money and applications were held up. Money was necessary to give the supply that was required. At the last meeting of the Board there were forty applications for power. The Local Government Loans Board had combed the Board very finely before giving sanction in respect to the loan. The Board also insisted on a guarantee of six years from new consumers. The ratepayers’ meeting at Katikati had adopted a motion in favour of the loan, and he appealed to all ratepayers to cast their votes in favour of the proposal on the 28th inst. The endeavour of the Board was to see that the consumers were given a good supply. The Chairman said, approximately, fifty people were now asking for the power, and if the loan were not authorised the Board could not supplv current to them.

Mr McLaren asked if the loan were carried would supply be extended to the top of the Kaimai. The Chairman replied the Board would make all inquiries and if the extension showed a proper return it would be provided.

„ Mr Bongard explained that the Kaimai extension was included in the schedule that was submitted to the Local Government Loans Board. The Chairman said there were now fourteen hundred consumers in the Board’s district. If the loan were not authorised it would have the effect of restricting the progress of the whole district.

Mr McLaren pointed out that electricity could be used in connection with the future milling of the timber in the Mangatotara Block in the Kaimai district.

Mr Voss urged that reconsideration as regards the guarantee period should be given in new districts. Mr Lochhead said he was quite satisfied that the proposal was fully justified and he hoped it would .have the support of the ratepayers. Certain people now had the advantage of the electricity service and others who required It should also be given supply. He moved—That this meeting approves of the loan proposal and urges ratepayers to support it at the poll on September 28. . Mr Voss seconded.

In answer to Mr C. S. Moffatt, the Chairman said it was expected that there would be over three hundred new consumers this year. The motion was put and carried unanimously.