POWER FOR NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 12

POWER FOR NORTH

RETICULATING AREA LOAN OF £290,000 PROPOSED RATEPAYERS' POLL ON MAY 8 [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE. Wednesday After waiting many years ratepayers in the North Auckland Electric-Power Board area, comprising the counties Otamatea, Hobson and Whangarei and the Hikurangi town district, will be given tho opportunity on May 8 to decide whether electricity is to bo installed in the area. The Power Board has been in existence for over 10 years, but owing to various causes, principally the breakdown at Arapuni and difficult times, the board has never functioned beyond holding periodical meetings. With cheaper loan money available and other costs proportionately lower, the last application of the board to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to place loan proposals before tho ratepayers was successful.

The Loans Board had recommended that the Wjiar.garei Borough bo induced to join the area and for sanctioning the loan proposals made it practically a stipulation that the borough be included. However, several conferences between the two bodies proved unsuccessful and the Loans Board withdrew its stipulation, so tho Power Board has gone on with its proposals to raise a loan of £290,000 for reticulating the district. The whole question was discussed at a meeting of the board yesterday, when it was unanimously resolved to take a poll to raise the loan, on the same day as the local body elections, May 8. The chairman, Air. J. A. McLean, reviewed the negotiations which had taken place between the board, tho Loans Board and the Whangarei Borough Council. Ho said all the money now required had been offered at 3£ per cent, which was a saving of £SOOO a year on tho proposal before the ratepayers at the time the Arapuni breakdown compelled the question to be shelved. Mr. McLean said he was confident the time was opportune to push on with the scheme. There should be no need to collect a rate, as within two years from completion the scheme should be a paying proposition. It would be necessary, however, to get Parliamentary sanction to pay preliminary expenses out of loan money, this privilege having expired. It is the intention of the board to make every effort to have the loan proposals carried and addresses will be given at meetings in various parts of the territory to explain in detail the loan proposals. If the loan is approved it is intended to push on with tho scheme as set out by the engineer, Mr. T. R. Overton.