ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 May 1936, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

(To the Editor) Sir, —As the majority of the present members of the Waiinoa Power Board are pledged to vote and fight for the Gowan scheme and stood for election as absolutely opposed to the Cobh scheme, the ratepayers naturally expected that a definite move would be made accordingly—turning over a new leaf in the history of the Power Board—tit their meeting last Wednesday. It tins already been officially announced that the Labour Government will not grant a license lor electric service by private enterprise, ■and also that the GovcrnmciH wiii not develop- a major scheme for Nelson alone. Therefore it is amazing to find that our local bodies do not wake up and realise that the Government is only waiting for, die co operation of Nelson with Marlborough, to make a united representation to “the powers that be” showing tlio urgency of the matter from Hie standpoint of a community of interest throughout both provinces. It is obvious from “The Alail” report of the recent meeting of the Power Board that its present small and expensive schemes will never bo able to cope with the demand for light and power even witli.n a comparatively small area of the War men County without more unwarranted expenditure and consequent heavy rales or maximum cost of service. Lit other parts of the Dominion the citizens are now enjoying the full benefit of cheaper electric light and power. Just imagine the handicap of working our local iiidusIries at a cost of 3j,d to 4jd per unit as against the present rate of only a hallpenny per unit for their competitors in VVeil.ngton. Air York reminded us that the Power Board had waited three years for the Hume Pipe Company, and Air Max is convinced that the subsidiary company lias not yet been formed. The chairman said “the position had become desperate owing to a break in the dam at Brightwater.” The engineer’s report said that the City electric plant is now taxed to its utmost capacity and might break down at any moment. Still we tire reminded that, like .Tairas'’ daughter. Nelson “is not dead blit slccpeth.” May our public, men,soon wake up and realise that by co-operation —helping our neighbours—we help ourselves.— 1 am, d:c\ IT. G. BERRYMAN. Nelson. 21st Mav