POWER FOR GLADSTONE.

Wairarapa Age, 10 May 1924, Page 5

POWER FOR GLADSTONE.

A COMMITTEE SET UP. TO ARRANGE GUARANTEE. (“The Age” Special.) A meeting convened by the Gladstone branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Gladstone Town Hall last evening to consider a scheme whereby the Gladstone and Longbush districts might be served' with electrical power. Mr A. Ross, chairman of the branch, presided over a large attendance of settlers. Mr J. C. Cooper (chairman), Mr C. J. P. Drewitt (engineer), and Mr G. Brown (secretary of the Wairarapa Power Board) were also present.

Mr Cooper explained the position so far as the inner and Outer areas of the power district were concerned, stating that it would be necessary for the residents'to give the Board some form of guarantee to ensure a definite amount of revenue being derived before a line could be constructed. A sum of £30,000 had bejen set-aside by the Powefc Board for the construction of such linos out of the area. He assured the meeting that the Board was quit© in sympathy with the district, and was willing to give any help that lay in its power. ; THE NECESSARY GUARANTEE. Mr Drewitt outlined the proposed scheme, showing that the line commenced from Te Whiti, across country to the Gladstone Hotdl, thence along the main road to Pope’s Head, a distance of about 12 J miles. The estimated cost of coiis’kjhiction was £3300, and it would be necessary for consumers to give a total -guarantee of £7OO for five years. The value', of current used would be credited • against the guarantee. The engineer stated that where the country had been reticulated, property had naturally increased its value. It was decided to canvass the district to estimate its requirements, a Power Board representative being delegated to attend to this work. A committee of Messrs A. U. Gawith, T. R. Eaton and C. van Praagh was appointed to assist the canvasser to obtain the particulars. A further meeting is to be called when tho full information ig available.