ELECTRICITY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18409, 5 February 1932, Page 2

ELECTRICITY.

THAMES COAST BEACHES

Canvass of the Area.

POOR RESPONSE MADE.

FURTHER" ENQUIRIES NECESSARY

The following report was presented to the Power Board by the Chief Engineer (Mr N. G. McLeod) on Tuesday:—

A canvass of the Thames Coast beaches was made between Bth and 14th January, and the prospects so far are not very encouraging. Visits were made to 113 houses with the following results : Prepared to take supply .. 24 Said they would write in . . 12 Would not take supply .... 50 Owners absent 27 Total 113 Assuming., that all agreed to sign pp for supply except those who stated definitely they did not want it, the guarantee required would be about £8 per annum from the 63 affected. All the prospective consumers except one, who was a permanent resident, considered £5 the maximum they could guarantee. The absent owners, whose properties were mostly for holiday purposes, would probably not be prepared to guarantee £5 per annum, and some would very likely not guarantee anything. On the assumption that the 63 consumers above mentioned would take supply, the revenue required would be £SOO per annum, while the guarantees indicated do not exceed £325 per annum, or 35 per cent.

The canvass indicates that there is riot a sufficiently great' ddsire at the present time for power to bo supplied to these beaches under the guarantee required, but if the Board so directs the position can be placed further before each of the owners by letter. The chairman: The report shows definitely that it i,s impossible to go on., Mr Strange said they should not finally dispose of the matter at that meeting, and he would move that further inquiries be made amongst those who had not been canvassed already. Mr McCormick seconded.

Mr Walton: There is no hope of extending to the beaches if a guarantee of £5 is required from each consumer seeing that the average consumption of electricity would be be about 15/- worth. ■ The motion was carried.