POWER BOARD AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20374, 1 October 1929, Page 12

POWER BOARD AFFAIRS.

ALFRISTON RETICULATION.

OBJECTION TO CHARGES.

SERVICE FOR PAKURANGA

The Auckland Power Board met yesterday, tlio chairman, Mr. W. J. Holds* worth, presiding.

An objection to tlio 10 per cent, chargo on ordinary rates was received from consumers on the Alfriston reticulation, it being stated that they wero led to bolieve that there would be no extra chargo. Tlio general matlagor, Mr. R. 11. Bartley, said that ho was rather surprised at the complaint, as ho had always clearly understood that tlio Alfriston reticulation would 1m undertaken under the same conditions as those of Clevodon and the 81-ookby-WhitfoVd , extension, which was now in course of construction, and that tlio area would bo charged 10 per cent, on ordinary rates to help tie rcvenuo, which was proportionately small compared with the capital expenditure. The item Wan an extremely small matter to the individual, but collectively it was a consideration. It was claimed that tlio district must now lie sell-supporting, but' that was not correct.

Tho chairman said it had boon clearly understood that those districts which wore reticulated at such a high cost and wero not producing sufficient revenue to pay the overhead charges bliould pay tliq extra chargo of 10 per cent. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to reply that as soon as the district came up to a paying point tho position would bo reviewed.

It was reported that a deputation of Pakurangu residents liad urged that the, hoard should consider the reticulation of at least the main road through the district. It was replied 1 hat tlio hoard would ho prepared to nnderlako I lie reticulation of a portion of the district after the completion of the work in the Whitford and Brookby districts, on the understanding that the residents wero prepared to iucreaso their requirements so that the total rovenuo might more nearly approach what was required to warrant the work being undertaken. Consideration was given t" the, proposed oxlcrior lighting of tho hoanl's new building in Queen Street. It was stated that two systems had been proposed, one of outlining the structural features by the neon system, and the other by ordinary flood-lighting, producing a colouring effect. Tho chairman said that flood-lighting would bo of outstanding advantage to the board, and its adoption would be an incentive to other owners of buildings to do likewise. Auckland had been very much behind other cities in tho exterior lighting of its buildings, as tho prices in the past had not boen particularly attractive. It was decided to employ the flood-light-ing •system on the building, including the Durham Street frontago.