ELECTRIC-POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22817, 26 August 1937, Page 9

ELECTRIC-POWER

SUPPLY IN PROVINCE THAMES COAST EXTENSION EFFORTS TO RAISE GUARANTEE [by tfj>egraph—OWN correspondent! THAMES, "Wednesday A meeting of businessmen interested in tlio supply of electricity to tlie Thames coast was held last evening and was addressed'by Messrs. J. Price, chairman, and N. G. McLeod, engineer of the Thames Valley Power Board. Successful meetings had been held at Puru and Tapu during tho afternoon. Mr. Price said lie was indebted to the Thames Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity of explaining to the ratepayers the position of the coast m the board's scheme. A Government subsidy had been asked for, but unsuccessfully, as the law did not allow such help. The board had met the Minister of Public Works and finally had made ar; arrangement whereby 12A per cent would be the charge on the gross amount of electricity benefit was being passed on to the , consumer.

The capital expenditure on the coast reticulation would bo £5372 and the revenue required was £BO6. There were 189 ratepayers and 10 residents in the. area. So far replies had been received from 67 persons, of whom 53 would take power. A further 17 had signed up that day. Mr. McLeod said it would not be possible to start the coast installation until January and it would be completed in six months. ( Mr. Ken Hetherington, president ot the Chamber of Commerce, stated that the number of persons signed up brought the amount within easy distance of the required guarantee, and lie asked the townspeople to make up the deficiency. Several new_ users oi power signed after the meeting.

FRANKLIN BOARD'S AREA WQRK IN RAGLAN COUNTY [FROM OUK OWS COItRESrONDKNxI PUKEKOHE. Wednesday The reticulation of Churchill Road, in the northern portion" of Raglan County, was authorised by the Franklin Power Board at its monthly meeting at Pukekohe. The engineer, Mr. L. G. Shaii), reported that a payable load was now offering from the road. Advice was received that the annual conference of the Power Boards Association was to be held in AYcllington on October 14 and 15. Messrs. J. Dean, chairman- of the board, and J. B. McKinney will be the Franklin delegates.