POWER FOR BAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32519, 20 December 1944, Page 7

POWER FOR BAY

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL SUPPLY FOR THE FUTURE ATTITUDE OF THE RESIDENTS / The question of the supply of electricity for Mercury Bay was the subject of a deputation to the December meeting of the Coromandel County Council. The members of the deputation were Messrs Heald, Armstrong, Ross, Dale and N. A. Wells Jnr., and were introduced by Cr. Watkins.

Cr. A, Watkins outlined the object of the deputation and said that as a result of a largely-attended .public meeting held in the 'Bay the deputation wished to obtain the council’s attitude with regard to the continuity of electric light in Whitianga. The residents of Mercury Bay were in favour of the council putting in a small plant and running it for the benefit of Mercury Bay.

Several businessmen in 'the Bay had supported Mr J. H. Keith by helping to finance a larger generator to assist

in his efforts to maintain a temporary supply. The business people were concerned over the inconvenience caused to the residents, and as" it was so near to the holiday season when hundreds of visitors visited the Bay every endeavour had been made to help Mr Keith in his difficult task in lighting the Bay. Details of Licence Mr iN. A. Wells gave details as to their licence, length of tenure etc., and as 1 to possibility of transferring same. Various councillors askedi questions and the whole position was well discussed. The chainman, Mr E. Deeble, said the council was fully alive to the position but there were three things particularly which would have a bearing on any action the council might be prepared to take. These were the area to be supplied, the approximate cost of machinery and reticulation and whether the ratepayers would be prepared to submit to a special'rate in that area to raise the money. He pointed out that in Coromandel the water supply area had been specially rated in <a similar manner to raise the money for water supply, etc. The deputation agreed to call another public meeting and put the matter before the residents and to supply to the council any data or information required.

Further Coromandel News will be found on Pages o and 8. >liiili!illiiiilliiiiliiiliiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiniinniiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii:iiiiiiiiMii.i