SAWMILL INSTALLATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 97, 10 July 1946, Page 5

SAWMILL INSTALLATION

NEW B.S.L. EXTENSION INCREASED POWER LOAD Intimation that it was intended to establish a sawmill on its property, which would be in operation next December or January was conveyed by Messrs. Boon Sullivan and Luke to the Whakatane Borough Council last Monday evening when formal application was made for the additional power loading which would be required. The letter stated that the mill would include one 72 h.p., one 55 h.p. and one 5 h.p. motors which would be needed for full operation of the mill. The Electrical Engineer (Mr F. W. Lysaght) stated. that he estimated the increase in the Borough loading as a result of the application would mean 75 k.w. From what he understood of the prospective supply of electricity he thought that by the time the mill was ready that the position should have generally improved. * Cr Creeke mentioned that whilst he would like to encourage the new industry, he wondered if the council by giving supply was being fair to its ratepayers. Restrictions were likely to remain in force for some time yet and already the ratepayers were cut down to a bare minimum. To grant a heavy new increase such as a sawmill would demand would be to penalise the residents as long as restrictions remained in force.

His Worship the Mayor said that the demand would not be so great in the summer and from then on the position would improve.

On Cr Warren's motion it was decided to agree to give supply. Cr Canning seconding. Speaking to the motion Cr Shapley said that in his opinion the council would be ill advised to prevent any new industry from being started in the Borough even though it might be at a temporary inconvenience. Having done that it was the next responsibility of the council to agitate for an increased allocation of power from the reticulating authority. The motion was carried.