ELECTRIC LIGHTING

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 December 1921, Page 3

ELECTRIC LIGHTING

MEETING AT HELENSVILLE

About forty residents attended the meeting convened for last Thursday night to deal with the electric lighting proposals and to consider the report submitted by Mr A. J. Walker, consulting engineer. Mr Jas. Stewart, chairman of the Town Board, was voted to the chair.

The chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr Walker though illness; but he (the chairman) had on the table before him Mr Walker's report, also maps and data of electric lighting proposals from the time of the first meeting in 1915. Mr Stewart gave a very clear statement of the position. Some time ago a loan of £7000 had been carried by the ratepayers in favor of electrically lighting Helensville and the Hot Springs ; but, though the Government and other money-lending institutions had been approached, the necessary amount could not be obtained at the time, but be believed it could be now. Helensville was all right as far as its own scheme was concerned. Later, suggestions were made that a certain area of the outside district should be included in the scheme, and the result so far is Mr Walker's report, the enlarged system he has sketched out to cost approximately £20,000. It was for the ratepapers concerned to decide which of the two proposals should be adopted —the lesser or the larger. He would read Mr Walker's report if the meeting so desired, but it was available for anyone to peruse. The chairman said he regretted to see only three ratepayers from "over the river" present. The meetinghad been convenedchiefly to give the outside settlers an opportunity to express their opinion, but apparently they are indiffer- ; ent about the matter.

The chairman answered a number of questions of detail [particulars of which were published in ECHO of Ist instant]. If the old scheme were abandoned a fresh poll of ratepayers would have to be taken, and power board formed on requisition of not less than one-fourth of the ratepayers interested. A rate would have to be struck, but it would not be collected if the income covered the expenditure.

Replying to questions put by the chairman, Mr N. W. Rimmer said he believed that the farmers wished to join in with Helensville. The rate per unit [96,000 per year at VA,d —£600] did not suit the dairy factory; but if Helensville had its own system the factory might make satisfactory arrangements for connection.

Mr W. Dear (Kaipara D.F.) said the farmers had formed a committee to consider a plan, and it would meet again shortly.—The chairman thought it inadvisable to have two or three bodies dealing with the matter. The Town Board represented the bulk of the ratepayers.

After a little informal discussion,

Mr C. West said he thought they ought to get a definite expression from the farmers, and he moved that a meeting be called at Parakai. Seconded by Mr Rimmer and carried.

In regard to the report, there is practically nothing of general interest to add to what appeared in this paper last week. We, however, reprint a synopsis : —

Total cost of plant, powerhouse and installation, £20,000.

Working costs, £4030 per year. Revenue, £4117, leaving a Balance to credit, £87. Cost of lighting 5 to 7-roomed house, estimated under £3 year.