POWER BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 165, 12 June 1928, Page 4

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presided over the monthly 1110011110 of tlie Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board yesterday. There were also present Sir James "Wilson. Messrs M. A. Eliott, J. Linkhater, M.P., L. T. McLean. A. Campbell F. \Y. Arhon, J. S. Tingey, H. H. Hunt aril P. J. Small An apolo <r y for absence was received from Mr O. McElroy. !> . Oil tile motion of Sir James \v 1.1 soil it was decided to ask the meter-read-ers to canvass for the sale of electiic ranges and milking motors while doing their rounds. It was pointed out by Mr Tingey that nothing could he done at Tangimoana a.s tlie settlers wanted power at the rate of two-thirds of the minimum tariff possible for the board to charge. At the price suggested hy the settlers, said Mr M . A. \i aters, the engineer, it would Ih> necessary to have ©very house in the settlement wired. POHANGINA EXTENSION. The following report was submitted 1 on the proposed Pohangina power extension:—Two of the staff have spent a considerable amount of time during the month 011 the investigation of the •areas and the data secured to date is as follows : —Proposal to continue tli© existing 11,000 volt line northwards a distance of 14 miles, reaching to within roughly two miles of Umutoi. Hough estimated cost el Hue £3812, required revenue for 124 per cent return £476 10s, estimated signed up revenue £224, a return of 5.50 per cent. Deficiency between the estimated revenue at 424 per cent of the co3t of the line, £2-32 10s. Table Hat llotd: Length of line approximately 41 miles, rough estimated cost £l6lO, required revenue for 121 per cent return £202 estimated signed up revenue (8 lighting jobs and 2 motors for milking) £6B, a return of 4.21 per cent. Norsewood Hoad (from Apiti Pond to Norsewood Trick): Length of line aproximately 7 miles ; rough estimated cost £2628, required revenue for 12) per cent return £328 10s, estimated signed up revenue £BS, a return of 3.2 per cent. Makoura Itoad : Length ot line approximately 6 miles, rough estimated cost £I6OO, required revenue for 12J per cent return £2OO, estimated signed up revenue £3O, a return of 1.8 per cent. On this road there are onlv six consumers requiring lights and ' live unoccupied houses. Mnkcikei Pond : This returns from i Makoura Itoad towards Pohangina, I but to feed it requires either iho Po- : liangina line to he extended or Makoura Pond line to be put in first. Length of lino approximately 41 miles, rough estimated cost £ISOO, required revenue for 12.) per cent return £l_B7 10s. estimated signed up revenue £SO, a return of 3.3 per cent. Tlie chairman expressed regret at the small amount of revenue that would be received as lie would like the settlers to get the power, but it did not seem possible at the present time. Ho suggested that Mr Arhon organise meetings in the district 1o see if signed up revenue equal to the required interest could be obtained. Mr Arbon agreed with in part this view, but stated that tlie outlying districts should be given consideration. He would adopt the chairman’s suggestion and arrange meetings for the settlers to discuss the matter. Mr Linklater stated that lie was in favour of the line being extended. “We must consider the country districts,” be added. “I can’t see why we should make them a gift of £252,” said Mr Small. Sir James Wilson disagreed that it was a gift and went on to say that 12) per cent, on the outlay appeared excessive.

In this connection the chairman £ointed out that the board had overcad expenses to pay out of the 12) per cent interest. Mr Eliott stated that lie would gladly have supported the proposal for the extension if there had been any probability of a 12) per cent, return on capital expenditure. It was decided to hold the matter over until meetings could be held at which the engineer would givo the board’s point of view NO REDUCTION IN TARIFF. The chairman reported that tho executive committee were of the opinion that it would he impossible to reduce the tariff at the present time. Perhaps at the end of the year something might be done, but at present no change should be made. Mr Hunt supported this view and moved that the following recommendations from the executive committee he adopted:—“That the Cheltenham Dairy Co. be informed that no reduction can be made' to the present tariff, and that they also be informed that they will be charged on their maximum demand from tlie Ist July, 1928; that the Apiti Dairy Gov. the Palmerston North Borough Council and tho Kauwhata School Committee bo informed that no reduction can be mode in tho tariff, and that tho request of the Palmerston North Hospital Board lie held over; that no refunds he rnado to Messrs G. Lyons, W. B. Dutliie and IV. Eggleton ; that tho committee having given full consideration to the reduction of tho tariff recommends that, in view of the additions of depreciation, having to he provided, no action be taken this year.”

Tlie motion was agreed to. _ It was decided to leave the extension of the line in the Kiwitea district ill the hands of Mr Arbon and the engineer.