ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 7, 3 October 1927, Page 12

ELECTRIC POWER

CEREMONY AT PUKERUA BAY PROPOSED ROAD ACCESS TO PLIMMERTON Pukerua Bay was eu fete last Sat urday afternoon, the occasion being the official turuing-ou of the electric current recently introduced to the district. The function was attended by a number of people from the city and the Hutt Valley, including Mr. AV. H. Field, M.P., and Mrs. Field, Mr. Mildenhall (councillor for the riding) and Mrs. Mildenhall, Mr. S- Blackley (chairman of the Hutt County Council), Mr. A. J. McCurdy (ex-chair-man of the Hutt A’alley Electric Power Board) Mr. A. H. Benham (Hutt County engineer) and Mrs. Benham. The visitors from town were met by Mr. and Mrs. C. Gray, who have done so much for the progress of Pukerua, and entertained at their residence. The ceremony itself took place at the Pukerua Hall, where a large number of local residents had gathered. During afternoon tea, which was served in the open, Mr. A. Basire, president of the Pukerua Pay Ratepayers’ Association, welcomed the visitors on behalf of the residents, and remarked that the introduction of electric power into the district marked a further stage in its rapid development. Mr. Basire then proposed a toast to the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board, coupling with it the name of Mr. A. J. ■ McCurdy. The speaker dwelt on the marvellous growth of Pukerua Bay during the past two years. He further stated that the greatest praise must be given to Mr. Field for his services to the district, and he. hoped that his crownin'? act of service would be to obtain good access from Pukerua to Plimmerton. The good work of Messrs. Blacklev, McCurdy, and Mildeuhall was also referred to. Mr. McCurdy said was sure that the residents would cct all the advantages c' the citv now that they had electric light and power in their own homes. Speaking on the question of toad access, Mr. "Blacklev said that he realised that Pukerua had not been treated too well in the past. In his opinion, ;t must be placed on the map. So far as the Hutt County Council was concerned everything had been done to get a road to Plimmerton, and that had recently been agreed to, the Public A\ orks Department having decided to make a start almost immediately. (Loud ap plause.) On the Power Board, concluded Mr. Blackley, Pukerua was well championed by Mr. McCurdy. The next speaker was Mr. Av. H. Field, who outlined the history and developirent of the Bay, and spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Gray, through whose efforts the township had gone ahead in leaps and bounds. Pukerua, lie said, had had two important events —the opening of the school and the switching on'of the electric power. The third one, the opening of the new road, would, he hoped, be'an event not very far distant.