BELGROVE AREA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 5

BELGROVE AREA

EXTENSION OF POWER LINES REQUESTED BY DEPUTATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SAYS BOARD CHAIRMAN A deputation waited on the Waimea Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon requesting the extension of power from Wakelield to Belgrove. The deputation was introduced by Mr L. A. Higgins, representative on tiie Board for the area concerned. Air A. Stewart said that tiie distance to he completed was only' about 5$ miles and the time seemed opportune for the supply to the 93 consumers waiting. It was a matter of prestige to those concerned, for they were “in the dark ages.” No other extension would give as much revenue to the Board as this. Also within a stones throw of Belgrove was machinery that would be electrified if tiie power came in. The portion had been excluded only' as a result of tiie Board’s policy apparently. The tobacco and tiie hop industry also wanted tiie power. The people had fair grounds for consideration. A GOOD INVESTMENT

Mr R. Best also spoke, saying that the distance which they desired completed was approximately six miles, and at £l2O pur mile this gave a capital cost of £720; and with for instance only 10 consumers using the minimum of £3 worth a year this gave the Board £l2O, and produced the amount (17£ per cent) which lie understood was the necessary guarantee. It would turn out a good investment for the Board, for 90 per cent, of the 93 estimated consumers would, lie felt sure, link up. It was an important part of tiie district and the speaker asked the Board Lo take the broad view. Any line built before the advent of a bigger scheme would prepare the way for tiie bigger load. Air R. Eves considered that if tiie Board hud tiie power to spare then lie saw nj reason why tliey T should not he given it. The chairman of tiie Board (Mr F. W. Greeuslade) said that he was rather surprised to hear the iemarks of Mr Sli-wart regarding the Board’s policy. He traced the activities of the Board in negotiating with the Government for a major scheme in the district, and the position was still not yet finalised. There wen areas within two miles of tiie Bright water works that were wanting supply and Had not yet been given it. If the Board had rated the district possibly' it could have reticulated a small area and given dissatisfaction over the whole. As soon as the question with the Government was settled the Board would come to the whole area (a loan proposal had' been sanctioned for £50,000 to do the inner area); but the Board would probably decide to do the whole area at the one time. There was no intention to exclude the Belgrove area in the first scheme and he could promise the deputation that. Mr Stewart said lie understood that the Board had a surplus of power, and Die deputation undertook to provide the reticulation. The district was on the main highway and was in tiie picture. THE COST OF RETICULATION The chairman said that to reticulate the area in question would cost £2,400. Mr J. G. Lancaster, engineer, said that that would be tiie cost under present practice; namely approximately £4OO per mile taking subsidiary roads into consideration, using the double system of wires which would be necessary, and the installing of transformers. At any rate tiie cost would not he anything less than £3OO per mile in the section proposed. If tiie Board had the finance the area would he a paying one; but from what lie knew it laid not.

'The chairman assured tiie deputation that the Board was anxious to reticulate the Belgrove district and it would he done at the earliest possible moment, it was impossible to serve Belgrove from Briglitwater, and in fact £2OOO more had to be spent at Brightwater before a satisfactory service was there. ANOTHER APPLICATION Mr G. McMurtyy .wrote on behalf of residents of Briglitwater asking for an extension of lines for three-quarters of a mile from tiie Briglitwater Church to Waiinea West; which, tiie writer stated would be a profitable extension for the Board, six houses being desirous of connecting u]i. Tiie matter was postponed till another meeting.