POWER IN THE WAIKATO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 13

POWER IN THE WAIKATO

AMALGAMATION MOVEMENT.

OFFER MADE TO HAMILTON CENTRAL BOARD'S PROFOSALS. BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Wednesday. The conference between representatives of the Central and the Cambridge Electric Power Boards and of the Hamilton Borough Council in regard to the proposed amalgamation of the three supply authorities was continued to-day. Mr. l'\ T. M. Kissel, chief Government electrical engineer, presided.

The secretary of the. Central Board, Mr. Beeche, submitted a tentative offer to the Hamilton Borough Council, setting out tho terms on which it was proposed to make the financial adjustment, and provisions for the regulation of charges to consumers. Mr. Beecho said amalgamation would mean a great saving in the cost of power. Ithad been proved at the previous conference that had tho amalgamation taken placo last year, it would havo resulted in a saving of £2680. It would bo possible to offer 1590 li.p. at cheap rates for industries.

Other points in favour of the proposal were the saving in administrative and overhead expenses, the saving occasioned by the purchase of materials in larger quantities, and tho advantage obtained by us'ng the lines erected by the council and board in or near the boundaries of tho two areas.

In conclusion Mr. Beeche said that as tho sole function of the power board was to sell electricity it should be better ablo to push business than the Borough Council with its many departments to administer. 'lhe chairman of tho Central Board, Mr. T. Hinton, said tho proposal was submitted merely as a basis of discussion. The Government had intimated that it probably would not bo able to supply power boards with all the current they required after 1927, but with tho diversity of the load that would be brought about by an amalgamation tho shortage would bo to a largo extent eliminated.

lhe chairman of the Cambridge board, Mr. M. Wells, said the proposal was a magnificent oitor to the Hamilton borough and urged that if its representatives were still diffident they should discuss the matter at onco in order that time might be saved.

lhe Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. J. R. Fow, said the secretary of tho Central Board had submitted a host of figures and arguments which a layman could not be expected to digest in a few minutes. Ho was of opinion that the board's offer should have been circulated to delegates beforo tho meeting. Mr. Stewart Reid said that if the proposals were carried into effect, the Waikato would have one of, the largest and most efficient power boards in the Dominion.

Mr. Fow added that the Hamilton Borough electrical department was in, such a good position that it did not consider any assistance necessary. The position hinged on two points, that of a saving to the borough, and the broader outlook of the assistance amalgamation would render the country settlers. The borough having brought its electrical department to such a high position was naturally enough tenacious of its rights, but lie could assure the meeting that with the personnel of the council, Mr. Reid's viewpoints would receive earnest consideration.

It was moved by Mr. S. Reid and seconded by Mr. W. Leo Martin that the proposal bo submitted to the Hamilton Borough Council, and the Cambridge Power Board, for their consideration. The motion was carried unanimously.