THE ELECTRICITY SCHEME.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13981, 17 November 1917, Page 7

THE ELECTRICITY SCHEME.

(To the Editor of "The Times,") Sir—l shall be extremely obliged if yon will be good enough to inform me: (1) Whether the Mr Black who is credited with having reported to the Borough Council in'l9l3 that it would take till, the third year after installation to work up to a demand of approximately 125 kilowatts, is the same Mr Black who reported a few days ago that 125 kilowatts would only suffice to cope with the demand for a few months, when applications for further connsctions would have to be refused? (2) If two different gentlemen, which of the two is it whose advice the present; council is following? (3) Is it true, as is commonly reported. that the present Mayor, by his.an-

tagonism as a councillor towards the

scheme at its Inception, was a party.to \gersiatent obstruction? to put the question more palatable from the Mayor's standpoint, that ho so delayed the acceptance of the scheme by the council through his honest doubt and desire for more information month after month, that he really created tho present unenviable position, inasmuch ■as-the scheme would never have been hindered for want of plant; but would 'have been completed and producing revenue long ago but for the many weary months of .delay occasioned at the com l ; installation? (4) If the suggestions contained in my third question have foundation in fact, and many whose memory is rea ; ' joßfl.bly.good, say. "Yes," do you not cotifiider it would be a most, fitting .. achievement on the part of the "Mayor—an appropriate act, seeing the Mayor's chickens have come home—were he to bring about, an 'increase of; borough rales, in ' order >to meet the interest "and sinking;fund;bn present ; incomplete • installation!. . ['■ .'■■:':!,', ; Such.a course ratepayers aii.opportunity of;associating the Mayor ■ more directly with tho scheme, which 'he gets the credit of having 'obstructed A at ■the commencement with such; dis- ; vastrous.present effects,to ratepayers,— . v'l : am, eiv ;; i' > ,; -'-'''■