WATER AND LIGHT IN NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 3 January 1940, Page 2

WATER AND LIGHT IN NELSON

ITo The Editc-1 Sir, —I would like a little space in your paper to ask a few questions regarding the lack of and cost of various civic facilities in this sunny city of curs. Firstly, water. It was with sadness 1 had occasion to watch one of Nelson’s most beautiful homesteads completely gutted by fire through lack of water. The N.V.F.B. turned out in full force, ran out the hoses, and lo and behold, there was no water. Now, Nelson is flust short of two years off a century old, and this terrible tragedy to the man in the street does seem lacking in foresight and in initiative. Secondly, electricity. We have a power plant in this city which is recognised as the most economical running plant in the production of electricity possible to obtain, and yet, the electricity charges are the highest possible in the Dominion. In Birmingham, England, 75,000 tons of coal are used annually for producing electricity. The cost of which in that situation is three farthings per unit for lighting and one-six-teenth of a penny per unit for power, against ninepence a unit for lighting and fourpence halfpenny for power in this fair city of ours. Recently, I had occasion to have a radio set installed using approximately 50 watts, and had to sign a paper to state that I would agree to have this huge (?) drainage on the supply curtailed during the winter months. Could anyone please explain the reasons for this lack of efficiency in these two very important necessities?— I am, etc., PROGRESS Nelson, 2nd January.