North Auckland Power Board

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1940, Page 4

North Auckland Power Board

THE North Auckland Electric Power Board is to be congratulated upon the highly satisfactory position which it was able to report at the annual meeting yesterday. The board has certainly made a splendid showing in every direction since it commenced operations. This is a tribute to the management and the members of the board. A decision which will speak more eloquently than words to the consumers in the board’s area is the decision to reduce the charges for power. These reductions, based on the present sales of electricity, amount to approximately £2,000 per annum. It is indeed satisfactory that the board should be in a position, so 1 early in its career, to make these reductions, which it is to be 1 hoped will result in larger consumption of power, for it is desirable that the people in the board’s area should be able to make the maximum use of the many advantages which electricity brings in its train. The board took a wise course when it decided to set aside a sum each year for the purpose of subsidising extensions required by districts which are unable in the meantime to provide the required guarantee. By this means it will be possible to supply power to people who would otherwise be unable to avail themselves of the boon. It is not proposed, however, that such districts should be served immediately, districts which provide the necessary guarantees being given preference. «■. At the same time, it is good policy, providing a proper basis is established, to hasten the extension of service, for there is no doubt that the availability of electric power is a big factor in rural development. The board is evidently fully alive to the possibilities of expansion in that part of Northland which comes within its jurisdiction, and there will be a general wish that circumstances may conspire to facilitate the realisation of its hopes.