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Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1931, Page 4

!n the course' of the discussion fit the meeting of the Westland Electric Power J Hoard on Tuesday night, it was mentioned how fortunately the Westland power District was placed with regard to the supply of light and power by well established companies, without contingent liabilities being placed on the ratepayers and their properties. The immunity enjoyed by the electors in being free from special loan rates to supply capital tor establishing a power production plant and the reticulation of the district, is probably not fully realised and appreciated by the public concerned. Put it is a fortunate circumstance to find private enterin'ise coining into the,’ district and taking up a project of such magnitude without direct financial rcsporosibility bcing put upon the people. In the ordinary course, where a local body undertakes the duty, a board has to he set up and maiuained with all the paraphernalia of staff and accessories to conduct the business of such a hoard. Money has to he raised to finance the scheme, and provision made to pay current interest and for the repayment of the principal. From the moment of creation there is a liability thrown on the ratepayers, who aie responsible for the whole finance, as well as-paying for the power used individually. In such a scattered district as Westland is. where settled communities arc spruvd apart, the reticulation. service is a costly item, and in conditions such as they exist here, it is well that the undertaking is beholden to private enterprise, and is not a community effort. The public men on the local Power Hoard who handled the pr.mositioii from the out set. have done the people a very special servj e in this matter, and it is due to them to acknowledge the service puhli’-ly. Poth in Hokitika and in the County, the ratepayers have been served equally well, and the localities | are cnjoving services where iight and I power are supplied under very favoured I Conditions indeed. It is apparent j I'min what was said on luesday night that the districts in the vicinity of I the maior supnlv still requiring seri v ;,. 0 will ]),» able to obtain it as soon | as the settlors group themselves am! I give the necessary guarantees. The terms are not by any means excessive, while the comfort and convenience oi electrie installations about the homes j and farms hardly require to he emphas-

ised. IN'lrinji the year we shall expect to see the remaning districts all linked up. in the general country scheme.