CLAMOUR FOR ELECTRICITY

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 September 1928, Page 6

CLAMOUR FOR ELECTRICITY

PROBLEMS FOR POWER BOARD EIGHTEEN PER CENT. REVENUE GUARANTEE IS SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION. TOKOMARU EXTENSION GRANTED, OTHERS DEFERRED. Applications for electric services To three parts df the district which, have not bqtjn served hitherto were considered by the Horowhenua Bower Board on Tuesday. In one case ah extension was granted, on the usual terns, and in two other cases action was deferred for the time being. Sclnyass Road, Tqkomaru. Air. if. Wchwass ’applied for an extun-’ sion in The Tpkomaf.udistrict, and the/ engineer (Mr. J. A. Smith) : reported; as follows:—”''With reference to this ap ; plication, it would be necessary to extend bur mains ' from Gunning’s corner, alpng .tSchwass Bond, for about,, 80 chains; the estimuted' cost of this is about ...Mr. ISchw ass ' aud two others' luiye signified their- intention of installing; electricity if available, and the estimated revenue is £43 per year, .with They'possibility of . another milking motor at an early: date. ” It was resolved that the application be granted and The election of the line proceeded with on a guarantee being given by the applicants that the revenue to The.. Board will be equal to 18 per cent, of the estimated cost of the line. ... . ’ Tho request for a guarantee of the amount stated, the chairman explained, was in accordance with the Board’s policy as far as it had gone. _ '•■"■lrt)wer - .Raiimati /Betuili. / An application.by cloven prospective consumers in the Lower Raiiniati. Beach district (Renown Road) was reported on by the engineer as follows:—”In re : gard to the application from'owners bi ! week-end cottages and two permanent, residents in this district, it would bb necessary to extend the ft. from the transformer in Matai Road, across country to Renown Road; This would be about 55 chains, and it would be necessary to use E.H/Jf polos to provide for a future extension of the E.H.T. lines; thence about 30 chains would be on ft. polos. The estimated cost of this work Is about £4Ol. Tivelve owners state that they would install elbctric light, one of them a range; replies from three others have not yet been received. All but two of these are . week-end cottages and The estimated revenue is £34 per year.” The chairman (Air. G. A. Alonk) stated that the estimated revenue was only 8.47 per cent of the estimated expenditure. He suggested that the matter be referred back to the engineer, so that h.e could discuss it further with the applicants and ascertain if they could make an offer approximating to the Board’s requirements. The engineer stated that negotiations for this service had been proceeding for a considerable lime; it was -eighteen months or two years since he was first approached about it, and he had: advised the applicants of that time -to wait until a few more houses were built. Most of the residences concerned were only two-roomed cottages. The chairman said that the applicants should be notified that the Board’s lowest requirement ivould be a return of 18 per cent on the capital cost. Air. A. .1. Petherick said that at present the proposal would not pay the Board, but in the course of a few years there might be sufficient houses in the. locality To warrant the expenditure. On the chairman’s motion, it was decided that the settlers in question be. informed that the Board is willing to extend the line provided that the revenue is equal to IS per cent on the estimated cost, Makerua-Rangitane Road. Letters ivere received from Miranui, Ltd., and five settlers applying for an extension to the Makenia-Rangitanc Road. The engineer reported as follows: —”T,o serve the five settlers, whose farms are situated fronting tho Rangitane Road, an E.H.T. line would be required from the main line north of the Alakerua 'mill, along the newly formed Alakerua-Rangitanc' Road for a distance of about 3 miles 55 chains, continuing with l.t. on E.H.T. polos for about 80 chains, also coming back with l.t, under the E.T.H, line for about 90 chains to the Miranui central camp. The pdles arc already erected for a distance of 4.1. chains carrying a l.t. line to a pump on the bank of the Tokomarn stream. The estimated cost of tho erection of this line, together with the necessary transformer, is £1530. The estimated revenue from the live settlers and the central camp is £205 per year. They ivould install live milking plants, nine water-heaters, three ranges, and five lighting installations. The present rough, state of the formation for the first "two and a-half miles makes it impossible to take lorries m with material, although, it would not require much work to make it,passable in dry weather. Should the line be constructed,' it ivould not be advisable to liven it up before the roads were metalled, on account of the inaccessibility during wet weather, which would prevent, maintenance, and attention to consumers, -/being .carried out.” Insufficieirt Guarantee. The chairman stated, that the estimated revenue fell short of the required amount by about 5 per cent, or about £75 per annum. From what he knew of the particular district, ho thought thbre were possibilities there, and he felt certain that, even though the necessary revenue would not be' forthcoming at present, it ultimately would be. He regretted, however, that he could not recommend the‘Board; to accept anything less than IS per cent eVcn oni those conditions. The application might be referred to the engineer for a month and he could report to the Board as to the future possibilities of the area, which was likely t,o be qiiite ’a-good one. m : A *Mf. O. Blenkhorn said that a view of the plan confitmed the chairman’s inipression as to the possibilities. If* tho owners of tho present unsold land were approached, he thought that they would give a guarantee to make the revenue up to 18 per cent ot the capi-

tail "'cost. V This 'should' be' done, 1 ’- 8b '*as to give thCT' Settlers’ an' assurance that in the near future' they would have the power, they required. ‘There was no doubt that it was a very wealthy district. , Mr. W. E. Barber said that the farmers really wanted to know what machinery they would have to put in. The chairman said that his idea in referring the matter to the engineer was that lie should investigate all the channels, as to the possibilities. There wore two blocks likely to be cut up— Gibbon’s and Whitamii; Board’s Policy Brought tb Trial. . Mr. A.. Seifert stated that .Mirahiii, Ltd., would also put on 'the marketprobably -three or four hundred acres in a short time. He asked the chairman if- this, application was not One- in regard-to;,'which the Board could make some concession at the present time owing t.o The very great possibiliGhs.'of that part . o£ the district. . The Board was anticipating ah ■ increase -by''proposing to put up a line : capabie ■ of carrying a considerable, greater .load than that required-.at present, ; The chairman said t-b’at tfiat hvas a'li' aspect, that could be gone into, Where the.. Board was, erecting; high-tension poles for a low.-tonsion lino, it- could probably -reduce, the requirement as to the guarantee becauseVit was anticipating a further load. • Mr. Blonkhorn' said T|i;at. the Board had laid down a hard-aiVd-fasfrule that it must re-ecive a certain return on its expenditure, and that policy did not affect future consumers. The same argument ".v^ouldjapply to the.. beacheg, where there' ‘ \yere ■ ■■ innumerable cot-' tages and many- more likely -to-,.spring Up. ‘ The chairman said ,that if the applicants ' wanted electricity for. use this' season, the Board emild not put it in in a month, , The engineer: They would like power and light.before next winter. Mr. Seifert • stated that it had been .decided to put the road in order so that, there would be no trouble for a lorry to go over it in dry weather. It would be suitable'for this purpose in a fortnight. The chairman; I hesitate to' defer this matter, but a little consideration will give us an opportunity to see our way out of the present difficulty—that is, the shortage of revenue. The chairman then moved that the application be referred to thq engineer with instructions to make inquiries as to the prospects of serving further consumers and as to whether the cost allocation could be reduced. -He explained that if the Board erected high tension line where-low tension would do, then probably the .extra cost should be borne by the Board in the meantime and not.by the settlers now concerned. Mr. Blenkhorn said he would like to see this in two motions. The chairman: I am not moving a reduction, but to see whether the cost that is allocated cun be reduced. I am not recommending a reduction of the percentage;-it is a reduction of capital cost. Future Extension in View. The engineer pointed out that the provision of high-tension poles to carry the low-tension wire would allow for a futim? extension of the high-ten-sion wire to connect with the line at Akers’, thus forming a loop which would be for the Board’s convenience, as there would be a high-tension loop for use in emergencies. He thought it would not be right to put down this extra expense to the.capital cost .when considering the estimated revenue from the present application. The chairman amended the latter portion. of. his motion so as to read “whether the capital cost -can be re--dueecl.” • =_ -The motion was seconded by Mr. it. Bryant. Mr. T. G. -dfinccnt said ho did not quite pee that this, line should bci treated any differently fr.oin-a.ny other. If the main was , erected,, the . Board would still want 18 per cent: from any bodv who joined up with it,' and the object of erecting it was to serve more consumers eventually. - The chairman: It is not suggested to make any difference. Mr.' Vincent: You are wishing t.o give the settlers the benefit of th>-high-tension line. The chairman:. They don’t reqiuie. it. We could serve them with a lowtension line. , . , Mr. Vincent: If you get the other settlors on,, what, about it then 1 ? As far as I can see,Hhere is no difference ■between the high-tension and the mains. . The chairman: There is a difference, because it is a terminal. ' , Mr. Vincent: I cannot vote for the motion as it stands. ... , - Mr. Seif oil: If Mr. Smith brought down an estimate that would just serve the settlers, it would be lower than this and. they would be satisfied; bui in The event "of the Board wanting a loop-line, he will make the line more effective, allowing him to switch the current through either way in the event of *a breakdown and serve the whole district! It- is a question whether this should be put on the expenditure against these settlers. . Mr. Blenkhorn: In view of the extensive furtluir subdivision, could ' wo continue the low-tension wire and serve all the other settlors who might come on in the future f ' The engineer: .'No. ' ' ; ' Mr. Blenkhorn: Then would it not be necessary, as part of this scheme, to extend -the high-tension line through there. The engineer; Not exactly. Tlic chairman said he had amended his motion so as to direct the engineer to ascertain whether the cost could bo reduced tby submitting an amended estimate for a low-tension line onlyover the last % mile of the proposed main. This would mean that, for a future extension, it would, be necessary to remove the low-tension poles nind replace them by. high-tensiqn poles. These settlors could be quite well sffrved with a low-tension main, v Ho suggested that the difference in costbetween a l ' ,i low-terisiOh , "an£tua high-ten-, sion line was 1 not quite "a chargcvtc, ■them. ' ; I' ,/ : ■ " Y* • .'-.1. ; K l, f - , ,-. ".fci. i;. tfi? 1 } .• * : ‘ii i j - ’ f Mr. Barber .sftid'ho agreed. w;bbM-J’-Seifert and the'tehamriau that the settlers in question should übt bo charged the 18 per cent on the extra-high-tension poles. There was a future fpt

the locality, and it would probably be a good thing fqr the Board. : 1 Mr. Seifert: -You - will be running through -with your car in no lime. Mr. Petherick: These people will be satisfied with a low-tension wire ■ami poles, which will provide all they want. There are other subdivisions coming, apparently, that -'will, want power, and we cannot supply them on low-tension polos. How much extra is it going t,d cost the Board to take them up and putAn high tension poles? Is it not better to put in high-tension poles now? It is working towards a circuit that will serve ‘in case of break-down: Tt is only a fair thing for the Board to stand the extra cost itself;'. Mf:; Vincent: How much further would it.be necessary to "carry the hightension line' to complete the loop? ■ /The engineer: ; A; mile and a-half fi'bm where the.^low-tension would ■■ end. Mr. Vineehti Are there any'prospective,.consumers on that mile and ahalf?. ; The chairman: I -have asked Mr. Smith to investigate. A Measure of Security. Mr. Seifert: I know that district pretty well/. and if I am any judge there are’ going to be groat extensions. It is to give-security to .the settlers in the future that .the loop-line is suggested, so that the current can be switched -over. Is it not the duty of the Board To give the greatest .security it cun to its consumers? The chairman said he did not wish to force any motion on the Board if it did n.o.t want it. . . ■ Mr. Blenkhorn asked whether, in the event of a reduction being made, it would bring. the scheme within the means of the settlers who required the power. The chairman stated that there was of about £SO in the costs of the Two systems, and this represented £9 in the guarantee. The Board Would want about £75 more than was offered, to bring the revenue up to 18 per cent. The Board’s endeavour was to drawl the points closer together, and he thought that it was somewhat unfair to the settlers i.n question if they had to pay for a high-tension that ■would be of benefit' to the district as a whole. He would not recommend the Board to build, a line without' the guarantee, but they should negotiate. The matter was one for further consideration, Mr. Vincent said he did not think there was a portion of the Board’s district where the possibilities, iverc greater, but.he thought they ivould be departing from sound procedure if they agreed to the chairman’s suggestion. The chairman: But I have not made the suggestion that amount of 18 per cent bo reduced. I am somewhat surprised Ithat you arc junablc to see through this. Mr. Vincent: ’ If yon cannot see my point, I cannot make you see it. The chairman: I have seen it long ago. He added that he was asking as an alternative that a low-tension line be erected. If the applicants ivere prepared to pay IS per cent on a lowtension line, what right had the Board to build/a high-tension line and charge the IS"per cent on it? Mr. Blenkhorn: Every right. Sound engineering policy is to make That'loop. There may be hundreds of consumers in the future, and ivc should consider them now. Instead of . that you propose to put in a line, and pull it up in a few years. . The chairman: I don’t propose to do that. Mr. 'Seifert said he agreed with Mr. Blenkhorn up to a point, but ho agreed with the chairman’s view as to its being questionable to load the settlers, with an expensive line ivhcn they could be served with a. cheap line. 'When the scheme was laid out f.or main trunk lines he never heard the question of 18 per cent raised. It was only in the cases-of .by-roads that this came in. Here was a road in a peculiar position, and the engineer could sec that in time the line would be used as a loop lino. The question arose whether all the 18 per cent should bo demanded from the new settlors at the start. The opposition reminded him of the Irishman who said he was always open to conviction, but he would like to sec The man who could convince him. (Laughter). The chairman: Wherever the trunk linos have been built, no guarantee has been asked. If you are going to make this a trunk line, you have no right to ask these people for a guarantee at all, because you are building something for your own benefit. If you are going to turn it into a trunk line, ivhieh is not urgently necessary, ive should not ask for a guarantee, at all. I say that if the people want the “juice” there, they should pay 18 per cent .of the cost, but we should not foist anything on To Thom in the shape of a trunk line which they don’t require. . . Mr. Bryant: It is only a recommendation for the engineer to go further into it ambreport to. the next meeting. A inotion was then carried .without dissent, in the following form:— I “That the engineer inquire as To the likelihood of further consumers coming. on to the Makerua-Rangitane line, and whether the cost of capital allocation can be reduced by submitting an estimate for a low-tension line only over the last mile.” 'Before putting the motion t,o the meeting, the chairman invited ah amendment, but none was foj’ThcOhi'ihg. . .