RETICULATION PLANS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 2

RETICULATION PLANS

ELECTRICITY FOR OUTLYING DISTRICTS WAIMEA POWER BOARD’S CENTRAL AREA “The Waimea Electric Power Board is now in the process of making a definite move towards getting the reticulation extended to the outlying districts,” stated the chairman, Mr H. E. Stephens, in his report presented at the board's annual meeting at Richmond to-day. The proposal to reticulate the central area was first put forward in 1937 and again renewed in 1939. The proposal was not proceeded with then, however, owing to the power board not being in a financial position to meet the requirements of the Loans Board, and later owing to the limited supply of power. With increased costs, the amount required to finance the proposal has increased from the original figure of £60,000 to £117,000. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME “It was obvious that some financial assistance should be forthcoming before these outlying areas could be reticulated, a point which has been freely admitted by the Government department and also other supply authorities generally.” continued the chairman. “This board was instrumental in urging the Power Boards’ Association to take up the matter of financial asistance with the Government, and actively assisted in placing the suggested method of assistance before the Ministers. We understand that a Bill has been drafted and awaits the next session of Parliament, which provides for a subsidy of up to *7i per cent, guarantees, thus leaving the remaining 7J per cent, to be found by the consumer. It is proposed to set up a controlling board which will consider all applications for subsidies, and to administer the scheme generally. Finance will be obtained by a levy of i per cent, on all electricity sales in the Dominion including those of the Public Works Electricity Department. It is the board’s object to be the first applicant for such a subsidy, as soon as legislation is passed, and application can be made at the same time for the sanction of the Local Government Loans Board to take a poll of the ratepayers on the proposal. “It seems now that sufficient guarantees will be forthcoming to proceed with this proposal, and this success may be attributed to the local committees which are working so energetically in their districts.

SUCCESS DEPENDENT ON THE PEOPLE “The board has' battled hard to get electricity to the outlying parts of its districts. We have laid the foundation for a forward movement, and we can now wait for the new legislation and for a favourable poll of ratepayers. In the meantime I would urge the residents in the central area if send in their guarantees for the fullest amount. The success of the proposal will depend finally on the response which it receives from the people themselves.”