WESTLAND POWER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1933, Page 6

WESTLAND POWER

MEETING OF THE BOARD HELD.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

The Westland Electric-Power Board met ;at the County Chambers last evening, when there were present Messrs .T. A. Murdoch (chairman), B. Ward, W. Jeffries, T. W. Duff, F. Selby,' T. R. Chesterinan and R. Whiley. Mr J. S. Langford, engineer of the Power (Company, Was also in attendance.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE

From Alines Department, stating the balance due on the purchase of the Government water races, at March 31 last, was £5,952 7s 10d.—Received.

From Kumai'a Borough Council, corriplaining of the unsatisfactory state of (he water supply for fire-fighting purposes. | In view of the explanation made by | Mr Langford, it was resolved to inform J the Council the matter rested between! the Council and the Power Company' Ltd., and the Board in all the circum-, stances was not disposed to interfere, and suggesting that the negotiations with the company might be continued. From Park and Murdoch, notifying position in suit of Langford v. Jolley, Middle Branch dam, for cancellation of Jolley’s license. —Received. From same, further report that the forfeiture was decreed and the license ■cancelled. —Received with thanks. From Controller and Auditor-General, returning balance sheet -for March, 1933, certified correct. —Received. "1 From C- E. White, Wellington, on behalf of Westland Power Ltd., re* porting for approval (proposals to reticulate the Koiterangi district and provide all services such as appliances and installation, and setting out {he special term* of the undertaking.—Received. From same, acknowledging the provisional approval, and matters were now .being put in train to undertake the WOr k._-Received. The chairman’s action, in granting (provisional approval was ■confirmed, and t.h e .application finally approved, and it was resolved to notify the company's solicitor accordingly.

GENERAL. . Air J. S. Langford mgde a general statement with regal’d to the activities of the Power Company. He said that during the past "six months the principal activities had been connected with mining. They had connected up with three mining enterprises, and four additional mining applications were being considered. It was probable that the company would have to double the .power at present available. The position for tbe company looked much better of late. The domestic revenue was increasing, and was payable. While the mining revenue was not 6 o stable, it would provide revenue for some years to come, and the position was encouraging. It had been shown that where reticulation was extended, improved business resulted. In consequence of the increase they had multiplied the capacity 'at Kahieri by four.' ' The moral responsibilities of the Hoard wore being met (through the company, and Hie services being 'put in were superior to any on the Coast. There had been no serious complaints, and ’they..'appreciated the attitude of the consumers towards the., company. The Koiterangi system to be installed would be more comprehensive and mote stable that previous systems. It would also he much cheaper for installation. The prices of electrical goods hhd dropped substantially, and the settlers would receive considerable saving from them when installing their electrical apparatus. He had no doubt the Koiterangi extension would be .a success. On a former occasion they had received offers of good support, and now that they were able to make the extension no doubt those offers would he renewed, as the settlers would come in on better, terms thajn previously possible owing to the lower cost of the material. • The company’s plant had been main-, tained and improved considerably during the pafit period. The extensions for the year had cost £l,lOO.- In addition, a. large amount of repairs had.,been carried out, and a permanent tunnel constructed at Dill mans which had Ibeen lined ? wrth Hume pipes. The general outlook was satisfactory and encouraging.

Regarding the Kumara supply, the onus was on the Council to. enter itito •arrangements with the company. Nego-. tiations had taken place previously, but they had broken down abruptly. The company was quite prepared to deal equitably with the townspeople on a iconcrete hards, hut the movement must come from the Council which withdrew on the last occasion. 'He had no doubt that if negotiations uvere re-opened an adjustment would he possible. In the discussion that followed, Mr Ward expressed gratification at the report submitted 'by Mr Langford who, he thought, had done wonderful work for the district in introducing electricity to various par : s. As a consumer in the Arahura district he knew the value >of the power in connection with dairying and improved domestic comfort, and he had no doubt that the Koiteripngi settlers would avail themselves of the power as soon as it was available in their district. He trusted that it would be possible for the company to extend further to other parts of the district and give the settlers an opportunity of enjoying the modern convenience which was such a boon in the country districts.

Messrs Murdoch, Whiley and Chesternrn supported the remarks of M r Ward, Mr Whiley stating he wa, s prepared to devote any time required to join with Mr Langford in making a canvass of‘the Koiterangi district as he felt that the introduction of power would be a great .asset to that locality and improve the value of the holdings. Mr W, A. Jamieson, o.f Koiterangi,