PROGRESS OF HUNUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 10

PROGRESS OF HUNUA.

ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE. POWER SUPPLY SWITCHED ON. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.!] HUNUA, Thursday. The ceremony of switching on electric power- in the Hunua district took place last evening at a function held in the Hunua Public Hall. There was a large gathering, including residents from all parts of the district and visitors from neighbouring districts. Mr. J. B. McKinney, a member of the Franklin Power Board, which has carried out the reticulation of power in tha district, congratulated the residents on having overcome the difficulties presented by the fact that the lines had to enter a sparsely-settled stretch, giving bnfc a small load* through the Hunua Gorge. Ha mentioned that the Franklin Power Board now had close on 3000 consumers, although it was still less than five years since the board began reticulation. The engineer to the board, Mr. L. G. Sharp, added his congratulations. Ho urged the need of economy in the use of electricity on account of the present shortage, and expressed the hope that the near future would see the present difficulty at Arapuni overcome and all restrictions on the use of electricity removed. As dancing proceeded the benzine lamps which had provided the previous lighting of the hall were turned- off. As they flickered the new era was marked by the switching on of a blaze of electric light from many bulbs by Mrs. T. J. Lockwood, the oldest resident of Hunua and wife of * Mr. T. J. Lockwood, member for the Hunua Riding of the Franklin County Council. In a short address Mr. Lockwood recalled incidents in the early days at Hunua. Reference to the early days was also made by Mr. J. T. Stembridge, a former v resident of Hunua, who* expressed particular pleasure that the lamp outside the hall, dedicated to the memory of the late Mr. R. J. Seddon, formerly Prime Minister of New Zealand* was still serving its purpose now by electricity.