THAMES INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22795, 31 July 1937, Page 23

THAMES INTERESTS

POWER RETICULATION RAILCAR SERVICE URGED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] THAMES, Friday The question of the electrical reticulation of the Thames coast road areas was again discussed .at tho Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday. Jt was stated that the Thames Valley Power Board required a guaranteed return of £BO6 per annum for live years before it would instal power lines. The board had sent out circulars to each resident, but the result had been disappointing, it was considered that residents did not fully understand the position and were disturbed at being asked for the guarantee . The chamber resolved, on tho motion of Mr. C. L. Grange, to write to the Power Hoard regarding the difficulty in obtaining satisfactory replies and to ask that an employee of the board with a full knowledge of the position be put on to canvass the area, and that, the chamber arrange to hold public meetings at Tapu and Puru. The president brought .tip the question of the Thames-Tairua road. Nothing, he said, had been heard in response to the two petitions sent in to the Government. It was resolved that the president and Mr. C. J. Garland interview Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., as soon as possible, emphasising the importance of this road. Mr. 0. Grange notified the chamber of a further reduction in the price of electricity. This, he considered, should assist shopkeepers in improving the community lighting in the main street, which at present was very patchy. New lighting was to bo installed in Pollen Street from Fenton Street to Cochrane Street. Mr. Grange said that further community lighting on tho footpath would cheapen tho cost to individual shopkeepers. The chamber decided to write to the .Minister of Railways urging that a rail-car service be instituted from Hamilton to Thames. Tho present service, while most satisfactory for goods, was very slow for passenger serrico.