MATTES ELECTRICAL

Southland Times, Issue 19517, 17 May 1922, Page 6

MATTES ELECTRICAL

BOROUGH EXTENSIONS. COUNCIL AND BOARD. The Borough Electrical Engineer (Mr A. C. Carman) has reported on electrical extensions in consequence of requests for extensions from Myross Bush, Bay Road* Makarewa township and Roslyn Bush. He considers that the approximate costs would be:—Myross Bush £2120, Bay Road £1225, Makarewa £660, Roslyn Bush £1570; total,£5575. He also reports that the cost- of lightiuj the North Invercargill block will be £6OO. Councillor A. H. Mackrell, in reference to the report at last night’s meeting of ths Council, said that as was well-known the work mentioned had not been carried out because the necessary money had not been available. The money was now in band and he wanted the committee given power to purchase some of the materials for the work without calling tenders. There wen materials that could be purchased at especially favourable prices just now, but the main point was that they would have te promise the farmers the power before the spring season if they were to give the guarantees of consumption.» Of course, some of the places might be affected by the tentative agreement with the Power Board, but thrt was a matter the committee could go into.] He moved that the committee be givei power to purchase stocks if thought advial able. The Department had about £25,y011| lying idle and losing interest. Councillor Mackrell moved in the direction of his remarks, the motion bein| carried. At a later stage Councillor Mackrell gavi an account of his visit to Wellington in connection with the amendments, to the Powtf Boards Act. He said that the Minister d Public Works had assured him that then was no intention in altering the Act, but j he had explained that as originally drafted 1 it was intended that the Act should only! confer power upon Boards to enter areal that were not being served adequately by | the licensees. The Minister did not see any! difficulties in the way of the borough enter-1 ing into an agreement with the Board, th« I borough plant to be used as a sub-station, g Tp protect the borough there would havi g to be a clause in the proposed agreement g guarding against any possible encroachment I by the Board. The Minister had stated] that he would not permit any board tn] enter another body’s area without cause,] considering it would be foolish to allow two] public bodies to be in competition. Coun l cillor Mackrell added that he was satisfiedthat an amicable arrangement could beg reached, although he did not think thnt i the suggestion of the Board’s chairman t» ? buy the Council’s plant afid reticulatim $ would be acceptable. In regard to the outer area, the Board’s suggestion was that ‘ the Council should retain the places in the outskirts of the town, and if it should happen that they should serve anyone outside their area, the Board would be prepared W compensate the Council. A vote of thanks to Councillor Mackrdl ] was moved by Councillor Miller aad 1 carried.