OXFORD’S ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17142, 11 September 1923, Page 7

OXFORD’S ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

ENGINEER OUTLINES PROPOSALS. Oxford's proposed electrical schema was outlined last evening by Mr J. t»Templin, consulting engineer, and Mr j> It Climie, organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, to one of the largest meetings ever held in Oxford. The meeting, over which Mr R bHenderson, chairman of the Oxfo’V. County Council, presided, was held in the Town Hall. In explaining the scheme, Mr Templin said that it was proposed to take the supply of electrical power from the Rangiora County Council’s line, which now ran as far as Cust. From Cust, to Oxford, a transmission line could he erected, connecting up with consumers on the way, and also reticulating the most thickly populated portions of the county and also the township. The cost of the scheme, which would allow for all contingencies, first year’s interest, sinking fund, etc., would be £13,370. Air Templin made the recommendation that £ISOO be raised to assist consumers in installing electric current in their premises, making the loan proposal approximately £15,000. In the scheme set forth, there was a possibility of obtaining 265 consumers of light, at least five milking plant consumers and also a, number of street lamps in the township. The expenses, based on the capital outlay, should be £IBBO. In order to obtain the revenue, the cost of current per consumer would be £6 5s per year. It was proposed to make a minimum charge of 7s 6d month, as there would be quite a large number of consumers who would use over 10s 5d worth of current* a month. Mr Templin said that the scheme had been made possible by the Rangiora County Council’s extending its line to Cust. It would be possible for Oxford County’s load to be worked with that of the Rangiora County in such a manner that there would be a good diversity between the two loads, enabling both bodies to purchase current at the maximum demand from the Government’s sub-station at Southbrook. without- either authority being penalised. Mr Climie addressed the meeting on the general advantages that would accrue from the scheme and he explained the difficulties which had l>een overcome l»y the council in obtaining authority to undertake the scheme. A motion was carried unanimously snpporting the scheme and expressing the meeting’s confidence that the Oxford County Council would carry it out.