THE THAMES COAST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 46, Issue 3516, 7 August 1936, Page 7

THE THAMES COAST

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY HOPES “NOT UNFAVOURABLE” RESULT OF CANVASS ANALYSED Details of a further canvass of the Thames coast for supply of electricity were tabled by the engineer, Mr N G. McLeod, in a report given to the Thames Valley Electric Power Board on Tuesday. This canvass showed that there were 166 properties of which one was a cabaret, two were schools and one was a timber mill. Information obtained in October, 1933, indicated that there were 178 properties, of which 49 were occupied by permanent residents. It would be assumed that there were 49 permanents and 120 holiday properties on the Thames coast. From Waihi beach experience 10/14 of the permanents and 73/125 of the holiday houses took supply from the start. Within three years all the permanents had taken supply and 125/151 of the holiday places. This showed a growth in the number of holiday

houses of 26 in three years, or 20.8

per cent. Applying that data to the Thames coast the following figures were adduced: Permanents 35 at the start, 49 (all) in three years; holiday 70, 120; cabaret 1,2; schools 2,2; mill 1, 1. The estimated capital expenditure to give supply as far as Tapu and Te Mata for that loading was £5372 and the revenue required for the start was £822 per annum. From Waihi beach experience and applying £1 per annum minimum charge to all holiday residences the revenue to be expected from the 170 of those was £ll2, or an average of 32s each. This meant that the permanents among them would be required to guarantee £7lO. The engineer’s comment was that the prospects were by no means unfavourable, but it depended upon the attitude of the permanent residents. . It was decided to forward a copy of the report to Mr B. D. Chapman, who undertook the canvass.