POWER DEPARTMENT'S PROGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 6

POWER DEPARTMENT'S PROGRESS

PHENOMENAL DEVELOPMENTS.

ELECTRIC LIGHT PRICE COMING

DOWN *d,

Speaking at Mornington last night, Cr Shaddock said that twelve months ago Waipori had shown a profit of £22,000. This year it was £27,000. In view of this gratifying position tho Electric Power and Lighting Committee had derided that night to recommend to the council that the charge for electric light bo reduced by Id per unit, and that the country charge be reduced from 4s to 3s. Ho added that there -would also bo a new rate for milking machines to meet the requirements of dairy farmers with small plants. Referring to the development of Waipori generally, Cr Shaddock, in reply to a leading article in tho ‘Evening Star ’ on April 16, said tho ‘ Star ’ had never lost an opportunity in the early days of_ condemning tho expenditure at Waipori. They had had to fight round tho table for every penny that was spent. Ho pointed to the growth of the business—the successful extension of the system to Hilton and Broad Bay, which were returning a profitable revenue, the construction of the new pipe line, and tho placing of an order for a 3,000 k.w. generator, which would increase the capacity of the station, by 50 per cent. As to the future of Waipori, he said he felt more confident than ho had ever _ felt. There was business waiting at Kaitangata and Balclutha, but it was a_ question as to the best means of reticulating those districts. For sparsely populated areas there were advantages in doing tho work through a power board, and nc thought tho people would bo well advised to set up their power board and accept the generous offer which tho council had made through tho Government. If not it would bo loft for the city to step in and do the best business it could.