RURAL RETICULATION

Chronicle (Levin), 11 May 1946, Page 7

RURAL RETICULATION

WELLINGTON, May 10. "The inaugural meeting of ' tlie Eural Eleetrical Eetieulation Couneii, which had been called by the Minister of Works (Mr. Semiile) to determine the proeedure which should be followed in subsidising the costs of approved new power liue extensious into the sparsely populated areas, was held yesterday in Wellington, " said tlitj chairmaii of the council (Mr. F. T. Kissei) in an annbuneemcut today. The members of tlie council are Messrs lvissel (ehairman) and M. E. ijyons, Hon. E. Masters and Messrs 11. \*. Murray, S. Eoberts and 0. W. Bearman (secretary)." • > Breliininary iuvestigations sliowed that before ihe work could be actively undertalcen a coiisiderable amount of inforiuation would have to be supplied by the various power boards. The • boards, therefore, are being asked to underla'ke immediately a survey of the unreticulated districts in their areas of supply so tliat, in the llrst instance, a comprehensive picture could be obtained of the probleni confrontiiig tlie council, said Mr. Kissei. From what is alroady known it was obvious that some unreticulated districts would have to receive priority ovcr others, as apart from other consideratious all new line extensious could not be constructed at once. This inforiuation would assist the couucll to decide priorities whicli should be given to individual aiiplications. ' ' Particular inforniation, which should accompany oach ap[>lication, is also being circulated to local electric supply autliorities, " added Mr. Kissei, "and it is . understood that through thein the details will be made avaiiable to prospective consumcrs. " Mr. Kissei said that all supply autliorities had beeu advised that a levy of .[ per eent. of the aetuai revenues received from the sale of eleetrical energy should be paid into the Public Account to the eredit of the rural reticulation fund.