POWER FOR COAST.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 25 August 1937, Page 2

POWER FOR COAST.

SERIES OF MEETINGS HELD. QUESTION OF GUARANTEE. GOOD SUPPORT FORTHCOMING. Well-attended meetings were held yesterday afternoon at Puru and'Tapu, when Messrs. J. Price, chairman of the Thames Valley Power Board, «?. Flatt, deputy chairman, J. McCormick, area member, N. G. McLeod, engineer, and G. P. Lindsay, assistant-engineer, explained details of the proposal to instal electricity along the Thames Coast as far as Te Mata, and the question of the, guarantee that was necessary before the Board couid undertako the installation.

Mr. K. S. Iletherington, president of the Thames Chamber of Commerce, was also present, and assured the residents of the Coast that the Thames businessmen were right behind the scheme and were prepared to assist the scheme by finding a reasonable portion of tho balance of the guarantee. The party was introduced to tho meetings by Mr. B. D. Chapman, who, with Mr. E. Watson, had been working for some time to get electricity installed on the Coast.

Mr. Price pointed out that the capital expenditure to instal the line wa3 estimated at £5372, and the amount of the guarantee, was £BO6, of which £326 was already guaranteed. There wore 199 property-owners in the area. He explained a guarantee Was necessary, as the Governmeift required the Board to show a return of at least 15 per cent, on the capital expended. Ho wished it to be clearly understood that the settlers’ guarantee would be for the amount of current estimated to be used. The guarantors would not be charged for the current used and also the amount of the guarantee.

After Mr. Price had fully explained the details of the scheme, it was stated by Mr. McLeod that if the guarantee was arranged this week the Board would make arrangements to have tho work put in hand as early as possible. He did not think it possible to have the line installed until Christmas, 1938. A number of questions were answered and a large number signed the guarantee forms.

It is now intended to complete a thorough canvass oT all residents and property-owners in the area.

At the Regent Theatre,

In the evening, at the Regent Theatre, despite the inclement weather, approximately 60 keenly-interest-ed citizens listened to Mr. Price outline the proposals on the lines of his address at the Coast meetings. Ifc stated that as a result of the trip to the Coast that day he was extremely pleased at the enthusiasm shown, and believed that with the support of all concerned the Coast would be reticu latcd at the end of the year. The Thames Valley Power Board was particularly anxious to extend its activities to the Coast Road, and the cost, as lie had stated at previous meetings, would be £5752 and the revenue required £BO6. Already that day they had signed up guarantors for a considerable amount, and ho saw no reason for the scheme not being brought to fruition early in the year.

Mr. Price explained that installations would include a charge of £2 10/- per chain for bringing the line in from the main road to the property. Lights would cost 30/- per point, subject to 5 per cent, discount. Terms could be granted when 20 per cent, was charged and the payments were divided into eight equal parts per year. Stoves could be purchased for 10/- down and 2/6 per w-oek, and payment for a water Heating system could be made at 1/6 per week, or, whore both were taken, the total would he 3/ weekly. Several questions were asked and answered regarding amounts of guarantees. The president of the Chamber of Commerce, in addressing the meeting, said the Coast people had booked up well. It was realised that any improvements along the Coast meant improved trade in the town, and he had assured the Power Board that any small deficiency in the guarantee would be taken up by the business people. Electricity would enhance the letting j-ind selling values of Coast properties considerably. ■ After the tour of the Coast made that day, a personal canvass was to be mado and the amount of current estimated. Over half the guarantee was already promised and it was,, up to the town to see that power was secured for tho Coast without further delay. Mr. Hetherington thanked the members of the Board for coming that day and attending the various meetings, and also Mr. Chapman for the uso of the theatre.

Mr. Price briefly replied on behalf of the Board.

Report to" Commerce Council

At the Thames Chamber of Commerce

council meeting this morning, the president, Mr. K. S. Hetherington, reported on tho meetings held yesterday, stating that it was evident a big proportion of the misunderstanding that had existed previously had been cleared up.

It was decided that the president and Mr. B. D. Chapman be a committee to make a follow-up canvass of those residents who Were not yet signed up.