POWER SUPPLY WANTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21506, 1 June 1933, Page 13

POWER SUPPLY WANTED

NORTH AUCKLAND BOARD LOAN FOR RETICULATION REVIVAL OF PROPOSALS [by telegraph OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Wednesday The North Auckland Electric-Power Board, which had everything in train to place before the ratepayers loan proposals for reticulation of the area prior to the breakdown at Arapuni about two years ago, and which has been practically only marking time since the Local Government Loans Board refused to sanction a loan poll just after the Arapuni trouble, held its annual meeting yesterday. Mr. J. A. McLean, who was re-elected chairman, presented the report and balance-sheet.

The balance-sheet showed that the total expenditure for the year had been £156. The board commenced tho year with an overdraft of £498 and finished with one of £654. The chairman explained that the security for the overdraft was a rate struck but not collected.

The chairman's report stated that since the loans board refused to sanction the loan proposals, not much had been done, but now that tho Arapuni power station was operating again and the troubles appeared to bo over, the time had arrived to make a move. Labour, material and interest charges were lower than ever, and tho time was ripe to make a further application to tho loans board for its consent to place the loan proposals before tho people in tho power board's area. The chairman said that even if the loans board's sanction was obtained it would take at least two years beforo tho poll could be taken and reticulation completed. He did not think there was any great difficulty in raising tho money required, about £332,000, and it was quite possible the money could be raised in tho Dominion, where almost every power board was making profit and many were reducing charges to customers.

Other members favoured application being made to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to take a poll on tho loan proposal, and a resolution to this effect was carried unanimously. Members were very optimistic regarding the success of tho scheme. It was mentioned that the district was now practically tho only end in the Dominion where electric power supply was* not available.

Over two years ago the board appointed an engineer, Mr. T. It. Overton, who prepared all the necessary data and took load survey of the area. The board also appointed a secretary. Mr. Overton's services are still retained in a consulting capacity, and if the loan proposals are approved by the loans board and the ratepayers, an immediate start could be made in the area, which comprises the Otamatea, Hobson and Whangarei counties (excluding the Whangarei Borough and Kamo Town Board district) and the Hikurangi Town Board district. Rodney- County had also made application to join the area, but negotiations were not finalised when activities ceased two years ago.