POWER IN WESTLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 April 1946, Page 6

POWER IN WESTLAND

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION FAVOURED ? MEETING AT HOKITIKA “That this public meeting of residents of the boroughs of Ross, Hokitika and Kumara, and the county of Westland unanimously favours the proposal that the Grey and Westland Power Boards unite, provided those boroughs and county have adequate representation; and, further, that this meeting facilitate in every way negotiations between the Grey Electric Power Board and the Westland Power Ltd. for the purchase of the latter company’s plant and assets.”

The foregoing resolution was passed at a conference at Hokitika, where representatives of southern local bodies met members of the Grey Electric Power Board to discuss proposals for amalgamation of the Westland and Grey Boards. Mr W. Stewart, chairman of the Westland Power Board, presided over an attendance of about 60.

Mr P. Blanchfield (Grey Board) outlined the proposals from that board’s point of view and suggested, that the Westland Power Company was prepared to sell its plant if a satisfactory price was agreed on.

Mr J. Mulcare (Grey Board) said the scheme did not envisage the Grey Board as at present constituted, but a wider West Coast board. It had in view the extension of the supply of power to country districts in the Westland area which Westland Power Ltd. was not at present in a position to do. The Ross limeworks and town were entitled to a power supply. Position at Ross Mr K. May (Mayor of Ross) said the Ross Borough Council had endeavoured for 18 years to obtain power and was not concerned with where it came from. It was wanted as early as possible. He thought an amalgamation giving one body the control of the whole district would be an advantage. Mr W .Clayton (Grey Power Board) supported the previous speakers in their contention that a West Coast combined board would be an advantage to the whole area. Mr J. B. Kent (Grey Power Board) considered that nothing could be done until it was known what Westland Power Ltd. wanted for their plant.

Mr May asked what steps were necessary to effect the amalgamation of the boards and how long it would take.

Messrs M. H. Houston (Hokitika) and W. Jamieson (Koiterangi) suggested that first the purchase of Westland Power Ltd.’s plant was necessary.

Mr Sinclair Trotter said the negotiations were ih progress with Mr Langford and Westland Power Ltd.

Mr M. Wallace (Kokatahi) gave figures to show that dairy production could be quadrupled if properly developed. He said he could not see why an amalgamated board could not take over the rights and contracts of the Westland Board and carry out the necessary negotiations.

Arahura Valley Mr R. Bradley (chairman of the Westland County Council) said the Arahura Valley settlers would welcome amalgamation. ■ Mr A. R .Elcock (Westland Power Board) said his board would welcome amalgamation. He thought the proposed amalgamated board could approach Kanieri Electric, with a view to taking over its rights. Mr Blanchfield said there would be a universal charge over the West Coast. Mr J. Richards asked what, would be the position of the - people now employed in producing and distributing electricity, in the Westland Board’s district.

Mr Kent assured the meeting the staffs would be absorbed. Mr Heenan asked the cost of lighting in the Grey Board’s district. The price in Hokitika was 8d per unit, less 25 per cent, discount. Mr Blanchfield said the charge in the Grey area was 5d with no discount but Id penalty, and 6d for other lighting. After further discussion of various aspects of the proposals the resolution detailed as above was carried unanimously.