ONE POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1946, Page 2

ONE POWER BOARD

FOR WEST COAST Favoured in Westland A representative meeting of residents and ratepayears of the boroughs of Ross, Hokitika and Kumara ana the county of Westland, held at Hokitika yesterday, passed a resolution favouring the uniting of the Grey and Westland Power 'Boards. The meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Stewart, Chairman of the ?Wstland Power Board. The chairman said the meeting han been called so that people of the district could voice their opinions in regard to the supply of electricity throughout Westland. A suggestion had been made that the Grey Power Board should become known as the West Coast Power Board, that it should take over the Westland Power Board, and that overtures should bo made to the company known as West land Power Ltd., io purchase their rights. This would ensure that ihe new Power Board would control all the Westland County district, including the Boroughs of Ross and Kumaia, ■as well as Ihe territory now served by Ihe Grey Board. Overtures could also be made io Ranieri Electric Company, with a view to the Board taking over the supply io Hokitika. Mr. May (Mayor of Ross) said that his Borough had been trying lor the past 20 years to secure power, the whole town was clamouring lot power. Recently Westland Power Ltci. had acquired the rights to reticulate the town, but shortage of materials had prevented the company from going ahead. Mr. P. Blanch field (Chairman of the Grey Power Board), said his Boai'd envisaged a long-range plan, and he would like an expression of opinion from all sources including the Borough of Hokitika. The question was to get a plentiful supply ot power to all areas. The Government did not favour a number of small boards but desired amalgamation, fewer boards serving larger areas. Mr. J. Mulcare, chairman of directors of the Ross Lime Kiln Company, said his company had recently contracted to supply the coal mines with stone dust, Cabinet had approved ol a grant of £3,500 to enable the company to proceed with the necessary plant to supply the stone dust. it was a matter of national importance. He favoured one board for the whole Coast.

Mr. W. Clayton, Grey Power Board, said he favoured one Board’ for the whole of the Coast as this would lower the costs to all. Every home and industry on the Coast should have electrical power of which there should be no monopoly. Mr. J. B. Kent, Grey Power Board, said it was necessary to know what the company wanted for their equity. The engineer to the Power Board had to know what he had to plan for. A resolution was required asking for one authority for the whole Coast. Mr. M. Wallace, Farmer’s Union, said the resources of the West Coast were the best in the country and as West Coasters they should develop their resources to the full. Cheap lime was essential to the Coast and Io produce cheap lime it was necessary to have cheap power. Cheap electric power for the Coast would enable the productivity of the Coast to be quadrupled Mr. R. J. Bradley, Westland' County, said Arahura would welcome any arrangement that would give cheaper power and better power. Mr. Elcock, Mayor of Hokitika, said the town was serviced by Kanieri Electric Company. The lease to the Company had to run to 1959, but the Borough could open negotiations in three years to take over the .supply. As a member of the Westland Power Board he could' say that the Board was in favour of amalgamation. Hokitika could not stand by and become an isolated island, and the Borough would be willing to approach Kanieri Electric Ltd., ana not wait for the period’ of three years. CO-OPERATION FROM COMPANY

Mr. Langford, Manager of Westland Power Ltd., said his company had show its willingness to hand over, and would accept the method oi. arbitration and would not anticipate any difficulty whatsoever. He assured full co-operation in equity He was certain that the influence of the combined boards would assure the supply "going to Ross, and it was his opinion that the one Board for the whole district would be more satisfactory from a financial point- 0.l view, the Government had provided' excellent, feeder supplies, and members of the Grey Board could realise the juality of that power supply. In. reply to Mr. Heenan, Mr. Elanchfield said the charges tor electricity in Greymouth was: Domestic lighting, 5 pence per unit; water heating, one farthing per unitl; radios, one penny per unity. Mr. R-. C. Wells said that in Rimu and Woodstock 40 consumers had been waiting for years lor the light and power. They were fully behind the scheme and the sooner it could be brought about the better. Only two miles of reticulation was required tn link up these places. THE RESOLUTION Mr. M, Wallace moved "That this public meeting of residents and ratepayers of the County of Westland and the Boroughs of Ross. Kumara and Hokitika, unanimously favour ihe uniting-' of the Grey and Westland Power Boards, provided the saici Board make provision for fair and adequate representation on the united board; and further, that this meeting recommends the Westland Power Board to facilitate meetings taking place between the Grey Power Board and the Westland Power Boai’d for the taking over ot the plant and equipment of the supply authority.” Mr. S. Roberts seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.