NON-PAYABLE LINES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5037, 8 October 1926, Page 3

NON-PAYABLE LINES.

i. . ... ELECTRIC POWER ON THE PLAINS. morrinsville-patetonga line. At Tuesday's meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at Te Aroha Mr W. E. G. Willy introduced the question of connectng up the power lines from Smerle’s flaxmill, on the Ngarua, canal road, to the sawmill at Maukoro, so as to complete the circuit of the Hauraki Plains to Morrinsville via Patetonga. He said he realised that it ,whs, the. policy of the board to connect a line only when it was payable, but in this instance it was desirable that the intervening area should be linked up. Mr H. M. Corbett said he, thought it was an unwise policy to remove any of the board’s men until any particular area was completed. It was not desirable to leave an isolated area, unreticulated. ''"“The chairman (Mr F. M. Strange) replied that-if Mr Corbett’s suggestion was followed it would upset the whoe of the board’s policy. The board had to have an assurance of a return of 12% per cent., plus Government charges, before a line would be connected up. The deficiency in the area; was approximately £54. The total revenue required was about £l2OO. Mr Corbett said .he did not suggest that the whole line should be con- ■ structed, but that a reasonable time should be given the settlers before the area was isolated completely. Mr J. Price said that the people of thq far end of the Plains who were taking power should be given credit for the non-payable section. Mr J. B. Thomas stated that the case was not an isolated one, and he quoted areas in .his district in which a,n alteration in. the board’s policy might be followed. Mr Willy said that if the area could be connected it would mean a b „ link to and safeguard for Morrin&ville, r and also for the Plains, in case of a breakdown.

The engineer (Mr N. G. McLe.od) said he believed that in time the line would pay and the demand for extras would increase. Mr Corbett coHiside.red that when people realised the advantages one district was receiving by using power over another district without power, those without 1 would be induced to connect up. The ch.airman thought that the board should pursue its policy and only connect up payable lilies until such time as the Plains sub-station was in operation. Mr Price considered that the people in the non-payable area should be given s,ix months to make up their - minds and connect up after the pay--.able line was completed. He moved to that effect. Mr Corbett seconded. Mir Flatt sa,id that 'similar positions existed in other portions of the board’s area. While sympathising with Mr Willy, if a new departure 'was made on the lines suggested by Mr Price it would open up a big question, •especially in regard to the Waihi Plains. It was desirable to know what the board was letting itfefelf in for. Mr .Willy reiterated the advantage of having the area connected up, thereby giving a stand-by to the Plains and also to Morrinsville. The chairman again pointed out that it would alter the board’s policy. Mr Corbett contended that the particular area, should be given six months’ grace before being refused power.

Mr C. A. Arthur said that the board should be out to give efficiency and ; service, and not hold such an important area up for the sake of £54. He ’believed that the area would soon be•come payable, and in case the : payable portions could become an offset to what at present appeared to be ;a non-payable line.

The matter was referred to the engineer.