The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1927. ADVANCE WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1927. ADVANCE WESTLAND.

The visit of the Minister of Mines yesterday coincided with the intimation that the Westland Electric Power Board had arranged for the purchase of the Kntnara water races for hydroelectric purposes, and the first deposit on account of the sale and purchase had been paid to the credit of the Public Account. The substantial payment of £IOOO, as indicated, clinches a bargain which should have a material effect in. contributing to the future prosperity of the district. Cheap power is regarded as a special aid to that end, and the power and light are to be provided for what might roughly be termed Northern Westland, namely between the Teremakau and Totara rivers. excluding the interior Boroughs of vers, excluding the interior Boroughs of Ivumara and Hokitika, which in any case are not within the Power Board district Hokitika is served already with light and power, but Kumara is not. At the same time, it is compefor the borough of Kumara to vote itself into the Westland Power district, and it is not unlikely this may come to pass at no very distant date. The deal which the Westland Power Board is now carrying'out is one in which the district is promised to be well served in every essential. The Board has had negotiations carried on simultaneously for the development of the water power it is acquiring, and as far as can he gleaned, those negotiations promise most satisfactorily for the general welfare. That is, a responsible company will undertake the work and provide fight and power over the area at reasonable rates, without any capital c"st nr contingent rating liability to the County area. In other words, the

County will derive- light and power on the same terms as the local Borough. The responsibility r-1 the undertaking—an undertaking which will involve a capital expenditure of some CtSO.OUO—will not fall on the community under any rating guarantee. ’1 he first and last responsibility of the people will he in respect to the uses of the light and power only, who will pay lor what service they receive directly. In reaching this arrangement the members of the Power Board are to he congratulated on their work. Their policy will result ill legitimate enterprise, taking up the matter and operating it for the public weal. The Company will carry all the risk and responsibility, and in return will lie well justified in securing the profits. The people without any risk or responsiblit.y for a work of such magnitude, will not incur any corporate liability, but will be in the position, individually, to enjoy all the amenities which such a .service as light and power will provide throughout the district. This ultimate insult is a matter for all round congratulation, and in referring to the goad work of the Board it is not going out of the way to mention the names of Messrs Butler (the Chairman) and Mr Murdoch (member 1 ) .who have given much time and thought personally to tin- realisation of the policy set by the Board. Both gentlemen have made several visits in their own time, and at their own expense, to achieve the result, and it is not too much to say that negotiations of the nature carried out called for much business aceumen in reaching finality. The people of the district, it seems to us, have much to be thankful for in the stage reached liv the negotiations, and it is to lie hoped general developments will now go forward in such a wav that in the not far distant future, the hopes and expectations of all interested in the important project for 2)ortli Westland, mav lie fully realised.