HYDRO LOAN APPROVED

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1929, Page 5

HYDRO LOAN APPROVED

TWO-TO-ONE MAJORITY

GREY DISTRICT POLL The policy of the Grey District Power Board, in giving the fullest publicity to the hydro-electricity loan proposals, bore good fruit yesterday, and the loan of £llB,OOO, for the purpose of developing hydro-electric power from the Arnold River, was sanctioned by almost a two-tq-one majority, whereas only a three-fifths inargin was necessary. The totals were as follow: —

FOR THE PROPOSAL 707

AGAINST THE PROPOSAL .. 373

INFORMAL .. ..

The returns from the Greymouth booths were received about 7 p.m., an hour after polling closed, and it was then apparent that the loan would be carried. The complete returns were available about 8 p.m.

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the poll is the fact that the apathy evident during the campaign also extended to polling day, with the result that only 1089 ratepayers in the district mustered up enough energy to use a pencil and ballot paper, while the remaining 2212 of the 3301 ratepayers on the various rolls ignored their responsibilities. The number of ratepayers on the various rolls in use yesterday comprise the following: — Borough.—Greymouth 1047, Brunner 193, Runanga 359. Town Board District. —Cobden 253. County Ridings.—Cobden 138, Waipuna 171, Brunnerton 363, Nelson Creek 130, Red Jacks 174, Paroa 220, Maori Creek 65, Marsden 52, Hohonu 136.

Details of the polling at the various booths are as follow: —

“THE RIGHT THING.”

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS.

“I consider that the right thing has been done, and that the lapse of years will show the people that they will not regret their decision,” said the Chairman of the Board (Mr J. W. Greenslade), speaking to a “Star” representative this morning. “We know that there are difficulties ahead, but if whoever may be elected take a most intelligent interest in the concerns of the Board generally, see that the loan money is spent to the greatest advantage, and that the load is built up during the next two years to give the necessary revenue to meet the expenditure entailed, then there should be no anxiety in the minds of the ratepayers with regard to a further call upon the public purse. “After considering all the facts and figures for the past eighteen months, and giving . them consideration from every, angle, and finally, from our point of view, considering that it was in the best interests of the district to go on with the Arnold River scheme, we are naturally pleased that the people have, in a decided manner, given theii’ approval. The strenuous advocacy during the last week throughout the" Power Board’s district must have proved a potent factor in deciding the issue. All the available information that had been gleaned was placed before the ratepayers, and nothing was withheld. Evidently the facts and figures proved to the people that it was in their best interests to proceed with the scheme, and the polling is a definite answer in the affirmative. “In my opinion,” concluded Mr Greenslade, “in years to come the Board will not have a deficit, and should the load increase in the same manner as during the past twelve months, the Board should be in a position to build up a handsome reserve, which would be passed on to the public in the shape of increased facilities and cheaper power.” Asked what the next move taken by the Board would be, the Chairman said that it was now a matter of raising the loan money, and calling for tenders for the carrying out of the scheme. He did. not think there would be any difficulty in getting the money at the rate of interest allowed by statute, 5g per cent or under. The Board had already had an offer of money at 5J,; per cent, but unfortunately, in the interval pending the taking of the poll and the Board’s reply ,the money had been eagerly snapped up by the Auckland City Council. However, the Board was in touch with financial authorities, and the necessary arrangements should be made at an early date.

For Ag’nst Infor’l Town Hall .. 118 61 4 Town Hall . 110 90 2 County Office 16 18 — United Pavilion 39 35 3 Cobden 55 16 — Runanga 139 39 — South Beach 4 3 — Paroa 26 6 — Camerons 5 1 — Westbrook .. 2 2 — Hohonu 0 3 — Kotuku 9 4 ■ """ Moana .. 6 1 — Kokiri .. 20 0 — Inchbonnie .. 1 1 — Ttotomanu 15 1 — Poerua .. 3 2 —- Te Kinga 4 3 — Totara Flat .. 14 6 — Ahaura 11 11 — Blackball 44 • 42 — Nelson Creek ■’ ' 9 7 Ngahere 11 3 — Brunner 36 16 ■ Kaiata .. 10 2 — Totals 707 373 9