Reticulation of the Tangimoana Settlement

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6625, 11 August 1931, Page 8

Reticulation of the Tangimoana Settlement

POWER BOARD’S REPORT.

A special roport on tho reticulation of Tangimoana settlement was mado by the chief engineer, Mr. W. A. Waters, at yesterday’s meeting of tfio Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board. “Another investigation has been mado of the settlement with a view to reticulating the area,” said Mr. Waters. “It would bo necessary to erect three and a half miles of 11,000 volt wire, and two point nino miles of pole line from Mr. McKelvic’s woolshcd to tho township at an estimated cost of £926, while tho low tension town reticulation is estimated to cost £492 (provided a permit is granted by tho Public Works Department to run the lines in bare copper). This makes a total cost of £l4lß. This is a minimum bare estimate, much reduced owing to the low prico of copper. “A census of the number of houses shows that there are about 80 houses in the settlement, of which number possibly 60 could bo reticulated if the lines wero erected. The required revenue to show 12J per cent, return is £177 6s, and to show 17 per cent return on the estimated cost is £241 per annum, or in other words £4 per house, or £3 per houso on 12J per cent, return.

“There are a number of permanent residents in the area from whom a larger return is possible in the event ot their installing electric ranges etc. This is tho fourth time this district has oeen investigated, and the petition has 14 names, who have agreed to take the power. “Owing to the difficulty of getting into touch with tho owners of the houses, it is a proposition of where the lines would have to bo built and take a risk of getting business. The estimate does not include cost of meters or service lines, which would be about £2 10s per installation extra.” In reply to a question by tho chairman (Mr. J. A. Nash M.P.) as to whether all would take the power, Mr. H. H. Hunt said that the petition was not indicative of the number requesting a supply. Ho felt sure that the proposal would be accorded a full measure of support.

Mr. P. J. Small thought that the matter should be held in abeyance until a canvass could bo mado later in tho summer, when the owners of houses in the locality would be in residence. The matter was eventually left in the hands of a committee to report.