Bay Power Loan Campaign

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1938, Page 9

Bay Power Loan Campaign

The meetings being held in the Bay of Islands and Mangonui Counties 'to discuss the electricity loan proposals are proceeding very satisfactorily. The attendances are good, and the settlers are taking a very keen interest in the question. ; Some of the ratepayers arc of opinion that £200,000 is too much to ■ spend on the scheme. Against this argument may be mentioned the fact that the districts already supplied with electricity in New Zealand have spent a total sum of £34,253,508 in I’eticulation. The population covered by tneso schemes is 1,461,651. which averages £23 per head of the population. Bay Statistics. The population in the Bay of Islands Electric Power Board district is 19,343. The proposed loan is £200,000. This works out at an average of £lO per head, or less than half the cost per .head in the rest of New Zealand. It is more than likely that electric light and power, when installed, will not cost so much to consumers as the amount they already spend in lighting and power. There are eight town districts in New Zealand still remaining without electric supply. Five of these are in the Bay of Islands power district. Meetings-to-morrow, will be held at Herekino, at 3 p.m., and at Awanui,. at 8 p.m. (Published by arrangement.)