SUPPLY OF POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4635, 7 December 1923, Page 3

SUPPLY OF POWER.

PATETONGA CANVASS. CONDITIONS FOR RETICULATION. The following report on the Patetonga canvass was submitted to the Thames Valley Power Board meeting on Tuesday last by the engineers :— "The question of supply northwards from Mangateparu through Tahuna, Patetonga, and Kaihere to Torehape has been considered. The section from Mangateparu to just north of Tahuna was previously canvassed, and in this report full credit has been given for load guaranteed there. This report is based on the canvass recently completed on that section from the new road ' deviation-just north of Tahuna- down to Pateman’s mill at Torehape. The total construction required is approximatley 24 miles, most, of which would be for 11,000 volts. The load at present offering is as follows: nineteen milking motors, 50 houses, 3 flaxmills, 1 quarry. The revenue expected from these is £1661 per annum, and the revenue required is £2353 per annum. The deftt is, therefore, £692 per anThe deficit is, therefore, £692 per annum. The canvasser’s report states -that five more flaxmills are expected to start in about a year, and that the Government quarry at Torehape .would most likely take supply. Allowing for this increase only, and not for any growth of domestic and farming load, the position becomes, as follows : Revenue expected, £3186 per antrum ; revenue required, £3278 ; deficit, £92. “Before the work is authorised it should be insisted upon that the flaxmills and quarries enter into bonds guaranteeing a certain minimum revenue for five years. “A large number of people at Patetonga have not signed, up for power at all, and the area between Kaihere and Torehape has not been canvassed. All consumers possible are required. Construction is not warranted for the load offering at present, but if the new mills come in as stated, and suitable guarantees are obtained, the position is favourable. If the five extra mills and the Government quarry do not come in it would be necessary for approximately 35. more milking machines to be signed up between Mangateparu and Torehape be’fO”e construction is ■warranted.” In reply to Mr Willy the chairman said that from an engineering aspect it .was desirable to construct the line, but it was all a question of finance and the amount of power that would be consumed. Mr Strange was of the opinion that a. canvass should be made of the settler?, interested. The chairman said that if it was only going to be a deficiency of £92 he- would like to see the construction go on. It was decided to inform the canvasser that if the quarry took power 23 motors would be required, and also to send a copy of the engineers’ report to the settlers in the, ar°a concerned and make a further effort to sign up the required number of consumers. it was also decided to make another canvass at Waitakaruru' and Pipiroa, and then go on to Kereone and Hoe-o-tainui.