THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1923. HASTINGS ELECTRICAL LOAN POLL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 186, 24 July 1923, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1923. HASTINGS ELECTRICAL LOAN POLL.

When the Hastings Borough Council , announced its intention to ask the ] ratepayers to authorise a loan of £32,000 to provide ways and means for converting the present direct current system to alternating current, to make additions to the power plant, and to extend the area of reticulation, there was considerable doubt in the public mind whether or not the expenditure of so substantial a sum of money was altogether justified at the present moment, and also whether it would not’prove antagonistic to the Government’s hy-dro-electric scheme. The truth was the ratepayers required to have the facts explained to them before they would allow the Council to increase the town’s liabilities by the amount asked for. It was exactly for this purpose—the enlightenment of the ratepayers as to the essentiality of the loan —that the Hastings Chamber of Commerce arranged its business men’s luncheon yesterday, and invited Mr. J. H. Scott, the borough electrical engineer, to explain at it the purposes for which the money was required. The result was decidedly satisfactory, and it is safe to assert that every ratepayer present came away fully convinced that it was their duty to vote solidly for the , loan proposals on Wednesday. As , a matter of fact this decision was affirmed by the resolution which was carried unanimously 1 'That this meet- ' ing of ratepayers having heard the explanation given of the loan proI posals, is satisfied that such are not ; only advisable, but are essential to ' the progress and well-being of Hastings.

While the meeting was large and representative in the ordinary sense of the term, it is in a way to be regretted that even more ratepayers

were not present, because the borough electrical engineer, wisely avoiding technicalities, explained the requirements in language all could understand. He certainly made out a strong case for the loan. He emphasised that whether out of loan money or from revenue produced by increasing the cost of current to consumers, expensive work would have to be done to conform with Government regulations, and it would be more costly to do it piecemeal out of revenue than to do it efficiently by converting the present system to the alternating current. In addition, the latter would be effective for the extension of the service as the town expands. Further, instead of being antagonistic to the use of the Government’s hydro-electrically generated current when it is available, the change-over to the alternating current system must be accomplished before the State’s service can be linked up with the borough’s reticulation. This assertion is confirmed by the Government’s Chief Electrical Engineer, who states that these extensions and alterations to reticulations now proposed by the Council were essential to enable Hastings to to take the hydro-electrical power. Further, the proposed expenditure out of the 'loan on the purchase and installation of another 300 h.p. Diesel engine is not to supply a temporary need. A duplicate power plant capable of generating the full load used in Hastings is necessary as an emergency stand-by for use in the event of a temporary breakdown of the hydro transmission line or plant. Thus it is clearly shown that the loan proposals are fully justified, and that the expenditure of money in the way recommended by the borough electrical engineer will prove to be a sound investment for the town. The most pleasing result of the “get-together” function held yesterday was an understanding arrived at regarding the use of the borough’s plaht for reducing the peak load under the Government’s scheme for the supply of hydroelectricity to Hastings. As a result of this understanding it is believed that the Council’s opposition to the petition to form a Hawke’s Bay Power Board will cease, and Hastings will now willingly co-operate with Napier and the Hawke’s Bay County Council in this most important movement, which will prove to be a powerful factor in the development of the district and in increasing the comfort and well-being of the people. In conclusion, we frankly admit that up till yesterday we had serious doubts regarding the wisdom 6f the ratepayers sanctioning this loan feeling that the expenditure would build up the local scheme to the detriment of the national undertaking. The enlightenment given at the meeting yesterday has entirely removed all misunderstandings on this point, arid with full confidence that it is in the best interests of the town we can now recommend ratepayers to give it their whole-hearted support in the polling booths tomorrow.