ELECTRIC POWER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 August 1926, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER.

SOUTH CANTERBUR V’S INTEREST. ROWER USERS’ ASSOCIATION EQUALED. In response to an advertisement calling a nicotine of all users of electric power a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Stafford Tea Rooms cm Wednesday evening when it was unanimously resolved that a Rower Useiu’ Association be formed with the object of considering ways and means.of safeguarding tbc interest of South Canterbury, in view of the strong agitation for a Waiinakariri electrical development .scheme. Mr R. Shill.to presided. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS In outlining the object of the meeting the chairman said Unit it had been considered necessary to call attention to the situation which at present existed in regard to electrical light and power. Christchurch bodies were working on constitutional and very thorough lines to obtain a second power scheme established in connection with tlie Waiinakariri' river. The situation at present was that a ■ lot of ■ money had been spent at Coleridge—money for which the ratepayers had boon pledged, and which had been spent on a development - from which Christchurch had obtained-most of: the advantage. Erom that development, continued Mr Shillito, Christchurch manufacturers had obtained consider-

able advantages from a. cheaper scale of charges and the population' had undoubtedly been largely auguinentcd as a result. One would think that having gained all tlioso advantages Christchurch would be content to hold back, hut not so. At present Christchurch local bodies were moving to the utmost of their power to have a second .scheme, established in Canterbury. He "said it was very easy to understand the .significance of that move, and the importance of it in relation to the future prospect of South Canterbury and N. Otago. The present advantage of a double line from Coleridge to Christchurch over a doubtful single transmission lino over 120 miles long to Timaru was also obvious. All manufacturers desired an abundance of cheap power, and ho considered that Timuru’s position, from the point of view of manufacturers, was indeed far from satisfactory. Tiio advantage Held by Christchurch in comparison with Timaru, if the Waimakariri scheme .eventuated' would ho enormous, and would, in ,lus; opinion, outweigh all other considerations. In. convening the meeting it was the intention to call, together all local property owners and endeavour, to work together for the estahlisment of a .second scheme located at cither Tekapo or Kurow. The, various local bodies operating in t\ut* town wore all doing :good work, but. he considered that their objectives paled into insignificance in comparison t ith the serious prob'om now confronting the district. It was the earnest desire of there rosjionf'.ihlo for convening ■ the meeting, concluded Air Shillito, that the power and 1 iidit consumers throughout South Canterbury bo .handed togother to work in harmony and push with all the means at their disposal their, demand for cheap power, and work, us Christchurch, had been working sippo .11110 for the development of their "own 1 resources. (Applause).

OTHER SPEAKERS. Air W. Smith endorsed the remarks passed by Mr Shillito and stressed the necessity for the formation of a strong Association. Aft' P. B. Eoote, representing the Chamber of Commerce,-concurred--with tlm chairman that an abundance of cheap power was indeed most desirable. He said that the Chamber of Commerce were also working on these linos and was endeavouring to get all local parties to work together and to counteract tho Christchurch effort for a Waiinakariri scheme. The Chamber also realised that considerable annoyance hud resulted from the. frequent interruptions, and at the present time was endeavouring with the assistance of the Rower Board to have that trouble obviated as much as possible, by insisting upon tho speedy completion of tho second transmission line.

Referring to a recent conference attended by de’cgates from the Christchurch City Council, Air J. R. lJruco said that the Christchurch delegates had gone to some trouble to try to convert the local people id the Waimakiriri scheme. Air AlcKeller had suggested that if the new scheme' could mm'vo Christchurch, Coleridge could bo used solely for South Canterbury and the other districts. He was satisfied that if such were .the case, and Christchurch were using the cheaper scheme, a flat rate should be charged. In reply to that question Air AlcKeller said he would not agree to that course. “I conn’der.” concluded Air Enice, “that that is about the most selfish attitude Unit could be taken up ” Air E. Porter said that he was pleased to see such a large attendance, which indicated c'carly the public interest that was being manifested to the question. Referring to tho Tekapo Longue. Mr Porter said ho would like to remind thorn Unit the League had done and was still doing good work,

us shown at the last Power Board cleetr ion when it was instrumental in placing on the Board ' members whom ;t thought would succeed in furthering tho interests of the. district. Among lho.se wu.s Air TV. Anglaml, a man who had the interests of South Canterbury ■sole'y at heart, and one who fought continuously against any encroachment iilioi, the rights of the district. (Applause). Air Porter said ho could not lot that opportunity pass without referring ,to the excellent service rendered by Mr Aiigland. 'He felt that ho could say without any apology that Air Angland had boon belittled a great deal in his work on the Board. In that connection lie referred particularly to the recent conference-held between the. South Canterbury Power Board and delegates from the Christchurch City Council when an arrangement had boon made to take the conference in committee. Mr Angland 'had gone to a great deal of troub'e to prepare certain facts which undoubtedly should have been made public, hut the opportunity was denied him. Despite protest., no satisfactory explanation had yet he on given. Reverting to the, attitude being taken up by tin' Christchurch Council and others. Mr Porter stated that Air Agar laid said that AVaimakariri was their birthright. .South Canterbury also had their birthright and should push ahead and contest their case on it smerits.

Mr H. Mathers voiced the need for ■ cheaper power. lie s,u:d that Timaru nuuiiifael;iiivr,s , were paying far more lor power than Ihoir Christchurch competitors, and it was not difficult to imagine the big advantage possessed by munul'aetiirres in file northern centre. As long as the second source of supply was within reasonable distance and that there were not too many rivers to cross, he did not think it mattered a great deal whether the source developed was at Tekapo or .Kurow. Opportunity was now knocking at South Canterbury's door, concluded Mr Mailier, but it might not. continue, knocking long. Mr J. T. Smart, (Teinukal, considered that there were not a great many engineering diflioultics to bo contended with in tin' Waitaki scheme, and if the Tekapo scheme proved 100 expensive, lie did not think that South Canterbury people could lose anything by supporting the 'Waitaki scheme lie was glad to see that South Canterbury was in league with North Otago in the matter and considered that the close en-opcratinn of both districts would rosuH in mutual l.eiv'fit. Mr 0. 11. Andrews said 1h I In' was not a Urge User hut v.'.is .keenly in-

forested in the welfare of South Canterbury. The population had not. increased in Timaru as much as it should and ho considered that more interest .should he taken in . ma-tlcrs pertaining to tho interest of the district, and Horn that point of view was glad to see the largo attendance that evening. from ils geographical situation above, ho considered that Timaru had to go ahead. Ho realised tiio value of cheap power, however, and also realisin'! the big part it would play to tho development of the district. Ho could not help feeling that in the past thoro had been a deplorable lack of interest shown in public alfair.i and ho strongly advocated tho formation of a Progress League composed of representatives of all the existing public bodies to further the development of tlm town and disirift. Air Andrews concluded by congratulating Air .Shillito upon the attitude taken by him in the matter and expressed tho wish that the movement so auspiciously eonimeiuol would he strongly continued. Mr C. W. Wood strongly supported the remarks made by Mr Porter in regard to Air Anglami’s position on the Power .Board, staling that ho was cer-t-air. that Air Angland was not accorded the hearing lie deserved. Air Angiand’s outline of the position, he considered, was of the utmost value, and ho thought that he should be asked to place his views and figures before tiio public. Geographically, continued Mr Wood, ’Timaru was very favourably situated as a distributing centre, but unfortunately at the present time it was very badly treated in regard to light and ~power, which was most unsatisfactory. As a light and power user, the interests of the proposed Association were his, and ho intended according it all the support in his power. Ho did not tlnuk that the 'Tekapo League was dead, but in the meeting that night it had gained new life. Timaru possessed splendid natural advantages, and lie considered that they should btrongly press tho opportunity that now awaited them. Air W. Gibb said lie had been very interested to note that a deputation had como down from Christchurch to assist Timaru, but so far had not noticed' much assistance being extended from the Christchurch end. As a result of the unsatisfactory nature of the power some local industries .had to work at night in order to keep down the peak load. Ho hoped that the residents of South Canterbury, he would not say 'Timaru as the question affected the whoie of tho district —would insist upon a better supply and press that request to the utmost extent.

Air A. Wilson expressed satisfaction that the meeting was not confining its efforts to Tekapo purely and simply, hut was also prepared to consider tho possibilities of the TVuitaki river.

■Mr. Eoote said that some criticism had been levelled against the Ppwyr Board. He held no brief for the Board but knew from his experience of that body that had the welfare of the district at heart and he, would not like to see the, proposed Association formed in any way antagonistic to tho Power Board, which was tho constituted electrical hqd.v in the district. (Applause). All- TV. Long expressed the hope that the Association would move in tho matter of arranging a conference with the North Otagq,. bodies interested and work with them in an endeavour to seck’a satisfactory second source of supply.. . ,

Dealing with some of the points raised Air Shillito said that on talking over the question with friends of the Teklipo League it had been considered necessary to combino and work in cooperation'with North' Otago if a second .scheme were to be obtained for the district, and it had been agreed that no opposition would he raised to a. scheme placed either in South Canterbury or North Otago. (Applause). When Mr Herbert Hall first brought' forward the Tekapo scheme it Had been considered that it was far beyond the district’s present need. Since then ho had discovered a. minor scheme at Tekapo and a lot of time and money had been spent on it. It was his opinion, that if South Canterbury had then risen to the occasion and developed Tekapo somewhat on tho line of Boring’s report, the district would not be in tho peri'oiis position it was in at the present time To bo perfectly fair it should be considered by thorn in the light of a. national asset, and as a birthright of the people of New Zealand. As such :t should lie developed and its power sold on the basis of a. flat rate. In regard to Coleridge, Christchurch had mado a good contract by arranging a contract twelve years ahead, and if a ehortage of power resulted at the prosant time the Government would bo compelled to cut off South Canterbury in order to carry out its contract with Christchurch. Even if a flat rate were given to Timaru the unsatisfactory nature of tiio power would still '.lake it an unsatisfactory arrangement. n that connection lie considered it would he adviseahle for local consumers to endeavour to get the flat rate • ■stabb’shed throughout Now Zealand. The Association did not intend to he antagonistic in any way to tho Power Board, but desired to work with the constituted body as much a.s possible. The only fault he found with them was that they insisted upon building up their demand, inviting manufacturers to come to Tininni and use their power at a dearer rate than at Christchurch. Otherwise, lie wonVI take o(l his hat to the memers of the Board.

an association formed. On the motion of Air G. H. Andrews, seconded by Air Long, it was unanimously agreed that a, South Canterbury Power Users’ Association be formed. On tho motion of Air J. R. Brne.\ AH Shillito was unanimously elected president of the Association. On iho moLion of Air Alather, seconded by Mr Caithness, Air TV. Smith was elected vice-president. Tho following were elected an executive :—Ales,srs H. Alather, Herbert .Hall, ,J. B. Bruce, R. H. Nicliol, TV. O. Long, C. TV. TVood, H. Berry and A. N. Oa key. Air G. Johnstone was elected secretary and treasurer, and . Air P. B. Foote, lion, auditor. The annual .subscription was fixed at -CFOs 7d for motor power users and. at 5s for ether power and light users.

It was resolved that it lie a. recommendation to tho executive to endeavour to from a similur Association in Oamaru and to call a. public meeting in Timaru when suitable. Reference was made to the assistance accorded power users by the “Timaru Herald,’’ and a motion of appreciation “for tho consistent support accorded iho movement for a reliable second source of supply in tho district’’, was carried unanimously. H was resolved, that it he a recommendation to the executive that they co-operate with the South Canterbury Power Board. On the motion of ATr C. TV. Wood a hearty vote of thanks to the '-hair mail was carried by acclamation.