WAKAPUAKA AREASUPPLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 December 1937, Page 4

WAKAPUAKA AREASUPPLY

POWER BOARD'S DILEMMA IN GETTING CURRENT THROUGH TO CONSUMERS FURTHER DELAY Concerning the supply of electricity to the Wakapuaka area, a report was submitted to the monthly meeting of the Waimea Electric Power Board yesterday by the Consulting Engineer (Mr J. G. Lancaster), recommending a route to be followed between Tahuna and Wakapuaka. Tiie total length involved was 218 chains, and the cost would not exceed £IB4O (£IOOO for underground cable). SYSTEM OF PAYMENT The chairman (Mr H. E. Stephens) remarked that lie considered that the problem was not so much concerning tiie route, as to how the line was going to be done, and on what system ot payment between the Council and the Board. At the present time the position was that it had been suggested that the work should be done by the Council, with the Board bearing the cost. It would be owned by the Council and the Board would have no say in the construction. It seemed to the speaker only reasonable that tiie best way was that the Board should pay a rental, and not face the whole cost. It was absurd that they should pay the whole cost and not own anything. Then it was suggested that the Board pay maintenance for an undertaking for which it had found the money but which the Cpuncil owned. Mr L. A. Higgins suggested that the Board should refer the whole thing back to the Consulting Engineers with a view to their reporting on the rental system. He was opposed to the proposal that the board suffer tiie cost of the line and then hand it over to the Council. SINCERITY OF BOARD STATED Mr W. Max considered that the terms as suggested were not acceptable. He expressed the view that the Board should call a meeting of the Wakapuaka people and show them the difficulty that the Board was experiencing in getting supply through to them. Such a meeting would prove the sincerity of the Board and show its difficulties. It was finally resolved that the matter be referred back to the Consulting Engineers to negotiate further with the Council with a view to obtaining supply of current for the Wakapuaka area at a more reasonable price, and carrying supply through the city at the lowest capital cost; or on a rental basis by carrying the wires on the Council’s poles.