ELECTRICITY IN NORTHLAND

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1937, Page 4

ELECTRICITY IN NORTHLAND

An important movement lit connection with the supply of electricity in Northland is to be made tomorrow, when a conference will be held between the North Auckland Electric Power Board and the Bay of Islands Electric P6wer Board to consider the question of amalga-! mation of the two bodies. This is a matter which is exercising much interest, and the result of the deliberations of' the conference will be eagerly awaited. It is widely felt that amalgamation would result in reduction of overhead costs, which would naturally ‘mean the reduction of the price paid for electricity by consumers in the combined district.. If the two boards can see their way to join hands and work under one administrative head, they will be able to eliminate many costs which each, as a separate board, will have to face. Instead of two separate administrative staffs, and two construction and maintenance plants, one of each would suffice for the combined district. Then, if the Government reduces charges for bulk supplies, as a power board does, one big consumer will be able’to effect greater savings than two smaller consumers would. We have mentioned only some of the directions in which amalgamation of the two power board districts would effect economies. It is obvious that a supply of electricity at the

lowest possible cost is essential for Northland, and anything that can help to reduce power charges and at the same time increase efficiency should be done. For that reason, it is gratifying to 5 know that delegates from both j the North Auckland and the Bay; of Islands Electric Power Boards, are meeting together to go thor- j onghly into the whole question , with the sole object of bringing about a state of affairs that shall be to the greatest good of the greatest number.