POWER FOR PATETONGA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5062, 8 December 1926, Page 3

POWER FOR PATETONGA.

PLEA FOR EXTENSION.

DEPUTATION TO BOARD..

At yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board the question, of an extension of the board’s power lines into certain parts, of the Patetonga district was introduced by a report off the Finance tfommitteej which stated that Mr JF. Mayn, Patetonga, who had been endeavouring to obtain the deficiency on the Kerepeehi-Patetonga section, now advised that the amount.required was forthcoming. The report also drew attention to the fact that as, many - of .the properties that were to be reticulated belonged to the Crown, and the board could not attach the land 'for nonpayment of installations made, it was desirable to insist on one-third o'f the amount being deposited before the work was commenced. Authority was also sought from the Commissioner of Crown Lands to make the installations, and thereby make the department a party to the agreement. Mr Mayn also waited on the bo?;rd, and was, introduced by Mr W. E. G. Willy. Mr Mayn said that when the board first came to Patetonga it was understood that the Patetonga line was to be a policy line. Since then the board had stipulated that the line xVould have to be a paying one before it would be erected. The district had been canvassed and was found, to be a payable one. He asked that the board resolve to eject the line at onee, or at least before the next milking season. He thought that the -third payment might be .deferred.. Mr Mayn pleaded fo'r an extension to the Morrinsville road, so ®(S to take in Messrs Christie, Wallace, and another. He hoped the line would be proceeded with right away. The delay in signing up for power was because, in some instances, the settlers’ land had gone back, and they ’ could scarcely afford to guarantee a definite consumption df power.- To assist .the position several settlers had signed up for water-heaters that they did not really require. The chairman (Mr F. M. Strange) said that the board was grateful to Mr Maynvfor the work he had done for it in connection with Patetonga reticulation. The board had to protect itself, ajnd tonly. lines that could be shown as payable propositions would be .reticulated. Mr Mayn pointed out that the board had already reticulated Crown areas in other parts, df the Hauraki Plains, and he considered it should not be tjoo hard on the Patetonga; settlers. Some time ago the prospects looked rosy but owing to the delay Of the board some settlers had purcaaseld engines and were now handicapped by having to pay them off; Asi a result -'they dould not guarantee further liability for power. Mr Mayn then retired from the meeting. . Mr J. B. Thomas moved that the reticulation be proceeded >v*ith immediately following the Christm'a|s holidays. He contended that it was the duty Of the board flo.assist the back* block settlers; in every possible way. Mr Willy seconded, and said .that it would not only be a source of revenue to the board, but would assist it to complete a circuit. The manager (Mr R. Sprague) explained that where one-third Of the cost of the installation wais received there was no difficulty. Where the proportionate charge was not paid it was desirable to receive some undertaking from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. \ Mr Willy s.aid x that the. board was not running any great risk. The Patetonga district had gajned a bad name on account df the peat, but so far as the settlers who were asking Tor power we,re concerned there was small risk to the board, as it would not be greatly affected. The resolution was carried, and the manager was instructed to arrange for a canvasser to visit the district and collect the one-third cost of installation. In answer to Mr Flatt the engineer said that there was Sufficient material on hand to carry out the work.