Lewis Pass power hinges on loan

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 15

Lewis Pass power hinges on loan

A start to construction on extension of electricity reticulation to the Lewis Pass area depends on approval by the Local Authorities Loans Board for a North Canterbury Electric Power Board loan of $160,000.

A deputation of four persons from the Lewis Pass area was told this at the February meeting of the Power Board in Rangiora yesterday. The deputation had understood that the electricity supply would not be taken to the area for some time. At the board meeting the board’s general manager (Mi D. W. Harris) explained why construction on the supply to the area had not been started immediately after the reticulation of Lees Valley was completed. The Lewis Pass area is the last major area waiting to be reticulated by the board, The supply would provide electricity to three large properties, “The Poplars,” “Glenhope,” and “Glen Wye.” About 20 miles of new line will have to be built from Lochiel near Hanmer Springs to give supply to “The Poplars,” and another four miles will have to be constructed to take the supply to the Ministry of Works camp. TO COST $60,000

The expected cost of the reticulation of the area was $60,000 said Mr Harris. The scheme would be financed by board revenue and by loan finances.

As approval for a new loan had not yet been given—the Loans Board will consider the application on March 22 it would be with some trepidation that the board would start the work without secure finance, said Mr Harris. In the meantime the board has been proceeding with detailed surveying of the area, said Mr Harris.

Members of the deputation said that they would like construction work to begin as soon as possible, which would probably be in late autumn if the loan was approved. The weather was usually better at that time of the year than it was in spring, when the work would otherwise probably be carried out, according to the deputation. Mr Harris said that he did not think that starting the work in autumn was a good

idea, but he favoured preparing for a start in spring. TREE PROBLEM An appeal was made by the board to all property owners, especially in rural areas, to check the power lines servicing their properties for overhanging trees which could damage the lines.

Concern was expressed about the danger of trees damaging lines and providing ' a danger to children playing. ' Part of the board’s policy I was the disconnection of low tension service lines at no charge during normal working hours so that overhang- , ing trees could be trimmed.