ELECTRIC SUPPLY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1935, Page 9

ELECTRIC SUPPLY

POSITION OF OHURA COUNTY. MATIERE FARMERS INQUIRE. “With electric power lines nearby and apparently no possibility of the residents of the district securing the benefits of electricity, it looks as if there' is something wrong somewhere,” remarked Cr. Pleasants during a discussion at the meeting of the Ohura County Council on Wednesday.

A letter was received from the Matiere branch of the Farmers’ Union asking to be supplied with any information gathered as to the cost of the supply of electricity to the settlers in the county, and whether any move in that direction was mooted.

The chairman: I would like to know that, too! Cr. Romayne said that when the supply lines were being put through the district the council approached the Minister on the question of a supply of electricity for the Ohura county and- had been informed that providing sufficient demand was forthcoming the necessary breaking-down station would be installed. The chairman said the council had already taken action in the matter. At his invitation Mr. McLeod, electrical engineer to the Taumarunui Borough Council, had visited the council and explained the whole position. He had pointed out that the council could purchase the power in bulk and arrange to have the district reticulated. The council would not be faced with any cost, as it would first be necessary to obtain a guarantee from the consumers. The county engineer had later sent Mr. McLeod a list of the residents in the county, together with the roads and mileages. Cr. Pleasants said that Mr. McLeod had estimated that the scheme would result in a loss of £6600 per annum, as the cost would be £14,140 per annum and the estimated revenue £7500. That was based on the assumption that 95 per cent, of the residents would instal lights, 50 per cent stoves and 25 per cent, milking machines. He did not think there would be anything like 50 per cent, of stoves installed, though the other estimates might be right. He would certainly like very much to have electricity, in fact if wool went up to Is 6d he would instal his own power. Cr. Renner said the power would be too expensive in such a scattered district for farmers to use milking machines. Cr. Romayne considered that the power would be cheap enough if they could get it. It would be necessary to procure sufficient consumers to guarantee that any scheme would pay, as there was provision for levying a rate to meet any loss.

Cr. Renner: A deficit of £6600 would necessitate a rate of Bd, which would just double the rate in some ridings. In one case a man now paying £425 would have to pay £9OO per annum. Cr. Pleasants referred to the proximity of the high-power lines. The chairman said that the district was not half progressive enough, or it could have had the power before now. In the course of further discussion it was suggested that the prospects of a payable scheme might be enhanced if the outlying parts of the district were not reticulated, as it was estimated that four consumers to the mile were required to make the scheme payable. It was also considered that the cost of reticulation

could be reduced if settlers were allowed to do the work themselves. Members questioned whether that would be permitted It was decided to forward the Matiere branch the particulars available.