PUAHUE AGREES TO LOAN.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1242, 13 May 1922, Page 5

PUAHUE AGREES TO LOAN.

At Mr W. G. Park’s residence at Puahue on Thursday, a meeting of ratepayers was addressed by Mr J. T. Johnson. Mr R,. Baillie presided. Mr Johnson, in reply to a question, said that the loan was solely for the purpose of financing consumers!, and could not be used for anything else. Mr Loughman moved ,and Mr Simpson seconded a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and members of the Power Board for the information given and explanation supplied, and agrees to the loan proposal, and congratulate the Board 1 on bringing forward such a business-like proposition. This- was carried unanimously. Pukeatua Supports. At Pukeatua on Thursday night a similar meeting was held in the Tautari hall, Mr F. C. Daniell, member of the Power Board for that district, presiding over a large atendance. Mr Johnson spoke on similar terms to previous addresses, and, in doing so, thanked the settlers for „he manner in which they had assisted the Board by compiling a list of prospective consumers and their requirements. This was useful to the Board ■by affording them the knowledge that as' soon as they got to Pukeatua a considerable load was awaiting them. He further emphasised the fact that by giving authority for the loan, the ratepayers would not be burdening themselves as the consumer who borrowed the money from the Board would pay all the interest and other charges on the portion loaned him.

Mr Daniell, in supporting the proposal, said that there were 800 dairy -farmers in thd area under the Board’s jurisdiction, but so far only forty cow plants were being driven by electricity, so they could see what a big field there was» for an extension of the Board’s enterprise and what a potential source of revenue would be tapped by encouraging farmers, financially and otherwise, to instal motors. The Board had gone to great capital outlay to bring electricity within the reach of all farmers, and it was imperative to arrange finance so that consumers' could be connected up whereby the Board would receive a revenue commensurate with its outlay. Mr Crooks was informed in reply to his question that if the loan were “turned down,” and a rate struck, it would be collected over whole area. Mr B-ickerstaff, in reply to Mr Crooks, said power would be available about Pukeatua about the beginning of September. Mr Crooks' proposed and Mr Kurth seconded, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Johnson for 'hid address', which they had listened to with pleasure; that it congratulates the Board on the progress made with the work, and pledges itself to support the loan. This was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded proceed’'"'-?.