POWER FOE DEVONPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15233, 21 February 1913, Page 8

POWER FOE DEVONPORT.

THE PRIVATE PROJECT. : ADOPTED BY COUNCIU. ' SEVEN (YEARS'-. , CONCESSION: The proposition made to the Devonporfc Borough Council by Mr. David M. Davis, to supply the borough with electricity for lighting and power was adopted by the council at a special meeting last evening. The scheme has been the subject of protracted deliberation by the council, numerous meetings having been, held to consider its various aspects. Last evenings meeting was attended by the Mayor (Mr. W. J.-Handley) and , Messrs. A.. J- Tapper, Lockie Gannon, D. W. McLean, W. Parson, T. Considine and A. Nixon. The chief electrical engineer, of the city (Mr. A. Wyllie) who has been acting as adviser to the council, was also present. ■;'.-, ..The proceedings were conducted in committee, and as at previous meetings, the discussion was a lengthy one. Eventually the council arrived at the following resolution :—" That the Council approve of Mr. David M. Davis's .scheme for the supply of electricity to the.borough of Devonport, provided that the details. are arranged to the satisfaction of Mr. Wyllie ; and, the borough solicitors." As an amendment, it was proposed that the mat-, ter should be decided by a poll of' the satepayers, but the original: motion was carried,' only the mover and the seconder voting for. the amendment. Mr. Davis has been acting for a small private company in the negotiations with the council, and he now proposes to proceed immediately with tho installation of the plant, delaying no longer than is necessary to enable the council to comply with the formalities necessary to enable it to assign to the company.the right to electrify the borough. The principal features of the proposition which; the council has '■ now adopted are that the company will make a capital expenditure of about £20,000, to establish the system. The period of its concession is'seven years, and the council may at the expiry of that period, purchase the business at a valuation by arbitration.\ Five -per cent, of the. profits are also to bo paid to the council throughout the term.- ' - The details of the scheme will be entered into immediately by Mr. Davis and Mr. Wyllie. As soon as they have been satisfactorily ■ arranged, Mr. . Davis will communicate with Mr. Gray Thome George, another member of the company, who is now. travelling to London, and instruct him to purchase the plant and equipment for tho system.