PROPOSED POWER BOARD

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 2

PROPOSED POWER BOARD

♦ WAIMAIRI SCHEME CRITICISED

CR. F. S. WILDING’S VIEWS “It would appear suicidal for the Waimairi consumers to embark on any grandiose scheme unless they find it impossible to arrive at what will be an infinitely better arrangement for themselves with the City,” said Cr, F. S. Wilding, chairman of the electricity committee of the Christchurch City Council yesterday, when he was asked to comment on the proposal for the establishment of a power board for the Waimairi County. “The City Council has viewed the possible creation of a new power board as detrimental to the interests of electricity consumers generally.” replied Mr Wilding, when he was asked to comment on the effect, on the city and suburban areas if the petition for the creation of a power board was granted. The question of amalgamation of a part of the county with the city did not arise, he emphasised; that question was the business of the ratepayers of Waimairi and not of the City. In Cr. Wilding’s opinion, the substantial question was; how could the Waimairi consumers get a cheaper and belter electric service, and cope with the imminent future growth of the demand for current? The creation of a brand-new local body to take over portion of the Waimairi Council's undertaking could not possibly have the effect hoped for, he said. The high standard of the Municipal Electricity Department and the cheapness of its current had been attained only after many years. The city’s ever-growing turnover was periodically lessening the cost of current to the consumer.

“It is certain that the City Council and its electricity officers would be prepared to consider ways and means of helping Waimairi by taking over its electrical undertaking, if the admitted difficulties could be overcome," he said. “The interests of the consumer arc paramount. Before any areas adjacent to the city take hasty steps, proper estimates' and figures should be taken out.”