ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 11

ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS

BORTHWICK'S SUPPLY QUESTION. BOARD AND NEW PLYMOUTH. References to the attempts by the New Plymouth borough electrical department and by the Taranaki Power Board to obtain a supply contract with Messrs. Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd., for their Waitara works were made by Mr. H. G. Carman, chairman of the board, at a meeting of county ratepayers at Tikorangi last night. Mr. Carman was dealing with certain erroneous statements alleged, to have been circulated in the district. One of those statements, he said, was that the board had missed, because, the NeW Plymouth borough had obtained a signed contract with Messrs. Borthwick and Son. When he heard that he telegraphed the con piny’s .manager, who replied “nothing in the rumour.” bp to a night ago no contract had been signed, by Borthwick's. He understood the company was considering reconstruction of its works at Waitara. One condition stipulated by Bor thwick’s for an electrical contract either with New Plymouth or the board was that the current should be guaranteed by the Government. They would not take the risk of ft breakdown in supply involving the (stoppage of their plant. The Government supply would not be through till October, 1931, so it could be understood why the' company was not in a hurry. ‘■'Borthwick’s know that in the event of the Government line breaking down the board could carry the company’s load in addition to that, of Its ordinary consumers,” said Mr.. Carman. “New Plymouth can’t do that.” He went oU to say that the board supplied the New Plymouth system on 20 days last month and about the same number the previous month. This involved power xanging from little up to the full capacity of one of the board’s machines. “We have an equal chance with New Plymouth of getting Borthwick’s contract,” he continued. “Neither of ns can rely on. it because the company is considering installing a steam or gas plant and becoming independent of outside electricity.”