ELECTRICITY FOR MARLBOROUGH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18202, 13 October 1924, Page 8

ELECTRICITY FOR MARLBOROUGH.

LOAN POLL CARRIED. (SPXCIAL TO "TH> PHSSS- ) BLENHEIM, October 12. The Marlborough Power Board's £300,000 loan proposal for tho equipment of Blenheim and the greater par of the province with an electricity supply from the Waihopai river was endorsed by the ratepayers yesterday with a decisiveness that rather f aurpmed even the most optimistic of its ad vocates. Undoubtedly a good deal of scepticism prevailed at the outset on lor one thing, that .commitment of such a magnitude would be an unusual order for a population ot about 18,000. However, the got to work with a scries of addresses throughout the district, and its campaign, sharp and to the point, was ot a most effective character, winning conviction in all quarters. One of the points made clear was that tbe

£300,000 did not mean an immediate commitment of tliat amount, but would represent a potential aggregate investment to which the Board would advance on a half supporting principle. Blenheim and the surrounding district will be served "first aud tho system will be extended to more distant localities in accordance with of adequate revenue. Kvgh the Awatere people, who had exhibited much opposition because they thought that the Clarence river should have been tapped for the purpose, gave a majority vote for the scheme. The aggregate voting was 1330 for and 296 against, which figure represents something more than fifty per cent, of the roll The Board intends to lose no time in exercising the authority for which it fouglifc so hard, and it is anticipated that the capital of Marlborough and the greater Dart of the Wairau Plain will he enjqving the advantages of public electrifeity in about two years from now.