ELECTRIC POWER CHARGES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25551, 20 July 1948, Page 8

ELECTRIC POWER CHARGES

Sir,—Our answer to proposed higher charges for electric power should be to B e t on with the Waimakariri scheme. Can you enlighten one as to what has become of the huge reserves built up by our Municipal Electricity Department, which I have always understood were being built up for the purpose of the M.E.D. having its own power scheme? Lake Coleridge, like the Lyttelton railway, has paved the way for other provinces’ power schemes and railways. Canterbury seems to be always penalised.—Yours, etc., 40 YEARS RATEPAYER. July 17, 1948. [“The Waimakariri scheme would be inadequate to supply even a portion of the city’s requirements,” said the chairman of the City Council’s electricity committee (Mr L. G. Amos). ‘‘Technical authorities on the subject of hydroelectricity had wide differences of opinion as to the ability of the scheme to function successfully. The cash reserves of the Municipal Electricity Department are held for the expansion of the city and when materials are available. In the new sub-station alone, provision of £90,000 has been made. The reserves, although they appear large, are adequate and no more for the future contruction plan.”]