ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1922, Page 3

ELECTRICAL ENERGY

I BORO UGH COUNCIL’S DECISION. The vexed question of the right t supply electrical energy in Greymoutl was again discussed by the Borougl Council last evening, when some progres was made towards settling the length; argument. The grant of rights t< Messrs Reid and McKay was confirmed but two other applications were refused Reid and McKay wrote asking tin Council to complete the agreement grant ing them the right to supply electricity to Blocks 2 and 3, Greymouth, as ar ranged on January 26, 1922. Nothing seemed to have been done by’ the Conn cil, and the firm wished to get on with their work by March 15. Cr 11. F. Doogan requested that his notice of motion, held over by a previous meeting, should be considered before the letter. The motion would hurt none, but clear the air. The matter of electricity supply should be left for the Power Board to deal with. The request was granted, and Cr. Doogan moved: “That the resolutions passed by this Council on April 21, 1921, and January 26, 1922, relating to the conveyance of electric cables across Tainui Street and the supply of electric energy to Blocks 2 and 3, Town of Greynnuth, he and are hereby rescinded.” The motion was seconded by Cr. W. C. S. Colclough. ('r. T. B. Baty said he still felt disposed to support Reid and McKay. They had been responsible for most of the interest now being taken in electricity. Cr. J. O’Brien said he admired Cr. Doogan’s persistence. There was a lot being said about the loss of gas revenue, but he did not agree with that view. Experts stated that the use of electricity tended to increase gas consumption. (Cr. Baty, Hear, hear). The Council should keep faith with Reid and McKay. Ho was opposed to granting any other applications. Reid and McKay should be allowed to show the people what electricity could do. He strenuously opposed the motion. It would be two or three, years before Greymouth had its own scheme and the firm should be allowed to carry on in the meantime. He understood they had already paid a deposit on machinery. The Mayor (Mr. J. D. Lynch) said that permission was granted by the Council and conditions were sent to the Boiough Solicitor. Cr. Baty wanted to know how the Gasworks " would get on when the Borough electlie. scheme was brought in. The Mayor said he did not think the, granting of Reid and McKay s application would cause the loss oi revenue. It would be very wrong if the Council revoked its permission given to the firmThe other applications should not be granted. He opposed the motion. ° Cr. \V. H. Parfitt suppoited the motion. The Borough should not gi\c rights away for absolutely nothing. h one application was granted and two

others refused the Council would be acting wrongly. Cr. Dougan, in reply, stated that an increase of gas consumption took place only in the case of huge electric schemes, which enabled new industries to be set up. It was only a. piecemeal scheme in Greymouth at present. When the lower Board got going and adopted a comprehensive scheme it would be different, The district would then go ahead and gas would also be wanted. How the Council could giant one application and refuse others “got him.’’ The motion was then put and the Council divided as follows Ayes, Crs. Colclough, Parfitt, Doogan, and Williams. Noes: The -Mayor, Crs SkogIv.nd, McGinley, Baty and .O’Brien. 'The sub committee appointed by the Council reported that in view of the early formation of a Power Board, it had no recommendation to make regarding the applications of Messrs Uddstrom and Perotti for similar rights to supply electricity. The .Mayor formally moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Cr. O’Brien. Cr. Colclough said it was manifestly unfair to grant the right io some and not to others. Cr. Doogan pointed out that thcio would be no final answer given to the applicants if the report was simply adopted. It would be better to move that the applications be refused. Cr. O’Brien agreed with Cr. Doogan. There was no similarity in the applications. Reid and McKay were in business as electricians, but Lddstrom and Perotti were not. The motion that the applications be refused was carried. The Mayor moved that the conditions drawn up by the Borough Solicitor for inclusion in the Public Works Department's license to Reid and McKay be approved. Cr Doogan stated that he had no personal feeling in the matter and would second the motion. The conditions were those originally offered by the firm. The motion was carried.