POWER IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 10

POWER IN THE NORTH.

, „> SUPPLY FOR ONER AH I. PROPOSED SCHEME REJECTED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Wednesday. At a meeting of ratepayers of Onerahi last evening figures were produced relative to the proposal that the township should draw a supply of electricity from \\ mmgarei. • The Whangarei Borough Council pro-' poses to ask the sanction ot the ratepayers to raise an electricity extension loan, and the' idea was to include a proposal of. £SOOO to carry the main to Onerahi and to reticulate that area, but not to include house connections. The Mayor of Whangarei, Mr. J. E. Holmes, who is also chairman of the Onerahi Town Board, said the opportunity was not likely to occur again for years to come., It was stated that a canvass had been made and tbe number of consumers in Onerahi, as supplied to the borough electrical engineer, was 76. The lights required numbered 385 and ironing points 35. To meet that demand the maximum load required would bo 25 kilowatts, or 30 horse-power. To supply 25 horso-power in a satisfactory manner would cost about £SOOO, including 2£ miles of reticulation. Current would bo used practically for lighting only and the cost would bo pracnitially £lO per annum per consumer. This worked out at about is 3d per unit, as compared with s£d iji Whangarei. After a lengthy discusison it was agreed that the only way in which tho Town Board ootild guarantee to take the minimum load required, was for the Whangarei Council to extend a high-power line to Onerahi, deliver electricity in bulk and let the Town Board find security by levying a rate. It was decided uai adopt the scheme, but it was intimated that a fresh proposal would be formulated.