WAIRARAPA HYDRO-LECTRICE SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 23, 22 October 1919, Page 8

WAIRARAPA HYDRO-LECTRICE SCHEME

CONSIDERED BY MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. ■By Telegraph—Special CorresDondent." Maste'rton, October 21.' A special meeting of tho Masterton Borough Council w*is held to-night to receive the report of Councillor King (the borough's representative on the committee set up in connection with tho matter) and Mr. J. C. Cooper on tho Wairarapa hydro-eleotric scheme.

I- Mr. Cooper traversed the details of the scheme.as already published, and stated that tho most urgent requirement now was money to pay for the material and the actual installation. All that was being asked .at- present was the necessary facilities for tho signing of the petition by 25 per cent, of the ratepayers of each local body concerned, after! which the document would bo presented to the Governor-in-Council. As Masterton would bo the largest user of power it would have two representatives on the governing body to bo' set up, whereas tho other place 9 were entitled to 0110 each only. Tho difference between the "inner" and "outer" areas was that the latter comprised tho districts which might at a later period be connected with -the current, and they would then have the right to erect poles, wires, etc., in tho intervening portions of the inner area.

Tho Mayor (Mr. W. H. J-ackson)[ said tlie question was, Which was the best means of obtaining signatures for tho petition? He would'suggest appointing a person who should canvass the ratepayers.

Councillor King mentioned that the people of the Lower Valley -were very keen on the project, despitejtho general idea to the contrary. It now remained for Masterton to do its part, and he hoped to seo' tho petition signed within a week. '

'In reply to questions, Mr. Cooper said that the power would bo purchased per unit, as in Canterbury. The actual head works would cost littlo in coni£ari--6011 with tho subsidiary installations, tho total cost of which would be about .£150,000. Ill's own firm (the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company) was spending, so imich on coal at present that the saving in using electricity would represent a sum that would almost equal the annual indebtedness. The central controlling body, would bo responsible for tho distribution to individuals, whether they resided in a borough or not. This would bo a distinct advantage, as tho men employed on the installation work would bo thoroughly qualified and under the control of one body. They wohld rely on a consuming rate without a maintenance rate for the upkeep of tho plant. To pill tho whole scheme into operation would require a quarto? of a million pounds. If the money for tho initial work were found right away tho power should be availablo within two years- . Ono dry summer would suffice for tho construction ot the headwords. j Tho meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Messrs. Cooper and King.