HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 18 December 1926, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

AFFAIR'S IN PATEA DISTRICT. DECISION TO JOIN WANGANUI SCHEME: About 40 settlers, including several from, Waverley district, attended the meeting convened by Mr Jas. Gibbs at Alton last night to discuss the question, of electric power supply matters as they affected the southern end of Taranaki. After a fairly full discussion it- was agreed to favour taking steps to link up with the AVan ga-nui-Rangitikei _ scheme. Mr Jas. Gibbs was voted to the chair, and in a short preliminary speech in opening the subject said that Waverley had joined up with the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board, and the meeting was called to consider the position of Patea. He urged the setting up of a committee to go into the question thoroughly and to find out exactly what could be done in the matter. Mr Belton, of Waverley, with Messrs Wallace and Alexander, had come specially to help the Patea people as the result of their own experience. He said lie was speaking as a layman from Waverlev’s experience, and was not actively advocating any area. Patea was in the outer area- of the South Taranaki Power Board, and had •still a. right to remain in that area. This hoard had been formed to save its district being taken into the Taranaki scheme, the power for which came from Tarilri. Patea County had been placed in the outer area, and by the Act had up to March 31, 1927, in which to decide to which board it would elect to belong. The Waverley district had moved to get power from Wanganui-Rangitikei; the poles had been erected, and they were likely to get- current almost at once. South Taranaki would probably get- power from Waikaremoana, and completion would be made in about three years. The settlers must go into an area selected at- their own request. Wanganui was not filching from any other board, but the move in Waverley came .from that district. The points of the position in Patea were similar to Waverley. Twenty-five per cent of ratepayers could call for a change. There was a good revenue secured in the Wanganui scheme, aiid they were not anticipating any loan for that district. Before current could be supplied every area must- join up with a, power board, which would supply the current required after a contract- had been made to take a certain quantity. South Taranaki power would not he immediately available, and the hoard "onld not yet promise light and uower. but Patea. must go into that area unless a petition were signed asking to be incorporated in Whnganui-Rangi-tikei.

The matter of striking a rate hv a hoa ,- d was mentioned, and M v MugTe ridge said be understood that wa.s done when tbev were supplied with current, and unless the sopnlv came within ten miles of the district the rate., .could not be struck. Mr Belton said he believed a board required to have a. guarantee of £SO per mile per annum. His district- had discussed the matter, and resolved to min in with Wnneanui-Rangitikei. Mr ffibbs said he understood any body of ratepayers ‘■•ould demand suviol v. and if not given they conld get it ■dsewhere. He added that a .committee must he appointed to make application , and its first move would be to get a list of ratepayers. He quoted some rates arranged by Wanganui—£2 per point for light and a charge of 7d per unit, with a much reduced rate for milking machines'. He also gave some figures showing the charges made hv the North Taranaki Board. Mr Belton agreed to help any_ committee appointed as far as was in his power. The following motion was then put and carried unanimously : “That this meeting of rate payers of Alton and surrounding districts resolves that the necessary steps be taken to promote a petition for presentation to His Excellency the Governor-General, praving that all that part of the countv of Patea comprising the Otoia Riding. not included in the Patea scheme, be added to and be a constituent district of the Wanganui-Rangitikei ’electric power district.” Mr Belton said that when the committee was formed it should give an indication, of the district it desired to ioin. He added that he would like to see the whole of South Taranaki in the Wanganui-Rangitikei scheme, making one very big hoard. Mr A. .T. Gibbs counselled proceeding carefully, and urged the committee to

see what the South Taranaki ’ Board had to offer. He considered' it more compact, but isaid the ratepayers would have to wait longer for a supply. It would be a mistake for all to go to the southern board. When the committee had made inquiry, it should call another meeting. Mr Muggeridge approved setting upr the committee to go into the matter, and if the suggested move were not approved they would then have i.o decide where they would go. Mr A. J. Gibbs said if they wanted power immediately they must- _go into Wanganui-Rangitikei, but if they were content to wait three or four years, they could remain in South Taranaki, which was a good district. Mr Belton said each board fixed the . rate over the whole of its territory, and there was no differentiation. Mr J. Gibbs said they would not lose by going with South Taranaki if that board took over the present company, and there was also nothing wrong in going on with the southern district. Hawera would need more power in the future. A committee wa,s accordingly set up comprising Messrs Jas. Gibbs, (. Honeyfield. Back, Seown, Muggeridge, R. Watt. J. T. Dwyer, Palmer, L. R. Hamilton' and L. R. Davies. The. lastnamed was elected secretary, and the personnel was selected to cover all parts of the district. _ • Mr Gibbs sajd the first business was in getting signatures'and putting Matters in train.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed bv acclamation to Messrs Belton, Wallace and Alexander for attending and giving information. A. vote of thanks to Air ,T. Gibbs for '>alling the-meeting and for presiding was moved by_ Air Afuggeridge, who eongratulated \i im on his energy and foresight in taking up the matter. He hoped something would come of the move, which was a credit to Air Gibbs. Replying, Air Gibbs said he did notmake any pledge, but would do all in liis power to give a sporting chance to the district to get power where they wished.

The committee met afterwards to make preliminary arrangements for securing. the petition. They will push forward with the matter with all 'expedition.