HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 121, 27 February 1919, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT.

A fairly representative meeting of town and district residents was held l in the Piako County Chambers last week, Mr P. M. ' Strange (president of the Thames Valley Hydro-Electric League) presiding. There were present —Messrs G. Buchanan, W. Dixon, ,J. B. Thomas, G. W. Horn, L. H. McAlpine, W. Lovatt, P. Grace, H. W. Gilford, D. W. Jones, E. Fitton, C. Rayner and H. Valder. The chairman briefly outlined the business dealt with at the recent conference at Hamilton, and said with a view to organising this district his idea was to ask the several dairy companies and farmers’ union branches to obtain data as to how many farmers with power to run their milking plants, etc., would convert to electricity if the latter were available. Perhaps an- organiser would require to be appointed. Mr P. Gilchrist, by invitation, read the agreement between the Government and the Waibi Goldmining Co., which empowered the latter to generate up to 10,000 horse-power at Horahora. The rent was 3d per month per horse power. The licensee could supply power to other uses at an additional fee of 3d per month per horse power. The company could not go into liquidation without consent, and at the expiry of the lease the works must be removed within one year. The State had power to take over the plant at Horahora and the transmission line at any time after due notice at valuation. If the works were taken over, and the licensee required power, the State undertook to supply an average amount of power to the company at a stipulated charge. The area of country in the company’s license embraced a big tract between Thames, Tauranga, Komakorau andTe Awamutu. Mr Gilchrist explained that a copy of the license and the schedule was deposited in the Warden’s Court at Waihi, where be had inspected it. To Mr Grace, Mr Gilchrist said the company had the right to charge any user at not more than £9 per horse power per annum or 3d per unit. Mr Gilchrist quoted from the Act, referring to the electric power districts and outer areas. Such districts could be formed by petition to the Governor signed by not less than one-fourth of the ratepayers in a district. After the Governor had constituted the district a board of from five to twelve members would be elected under the Local Elections and Polls Act, each elector having one vote only. The hoard would have power to bbrrow moneys under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1913. Rates could be struck on either the capital or unimproved values, the local authorities in each district collecting such rates. If the Government took over the Horahoro works it could supply electric energy, in bulk or othetwise, to the District Boards, under license. The board may construct electric works or transmission lines, also under license. Mr Thomas said a rating area wouid have to be. defined to give s o irity for money borrowed. It • may not be necessary to collect a rat^*. Mr J ones suggested that non'.<l s would have to be assured • ‘Her would not h *ve to pay the rate. ,Mr Buchanan held that all lands would be enhanced in value if electric power were available; and therefore all should be liable for at least some time. He antic pated that soon it would be self-supporting. Mr Buchanan explained what had been done by the Paeroa Borough council in an effort to obtain power from the mining company. The reply had been that power could not be supplied .. „at present. The Minister for Works had then been appealed to for information as to the Government’s intentions. The Mr Fraser had replied that •he and Mr Parry woul shortly visit Horahora, and he would advise the Paeroa folk afterwards. Mr C. Rayner said Te Aroha Bofough council had also approached the Waihi Co., but had not been able to arrange for a supply. He gathered that the company bad expectations of dis- - posing of its power interests to the State, hepce its unwillingness to treat With 16'cal bodies. Mr Strange -said there were more milking .machines used in

the Thames Valley per mile than iin any other district in the Do- . minion. He was confident practically every milking machine <:pwner would use, electric power. v TheTirohfa Quarry Co. wanted ■power, and there was reason to believe that a sawmill would be established in Te Aroha, and 'would use power. Hehadunder- : stood the charge at Lake Coleridge was £5 per horse power. . At this rate it would pay hand.tsomely.

Mr Dixon : At £9 my company (Thames Valley Dairy Co.) would not care to take it. Mr Jones : At £9 it would pay the farmers. Anything less than £9 would be all the better for the average farmer. Mr Buchanan quoted figures supplied to him by an official of the Tai Tapu Dairy Co., to show the wonderful cheapness of power from Lake Coleridge. Mr Horn said many people were under the impression that the State could take over the Horahora plant at actual cost. At valuation it would cost very much more now. On Mr Buchanan’s motion it was decided to urge upon the Government the desirability of acquiring the Horahora Avorks as an instalment of the Arapuni project, as this is the most easily adapted method of supplying power to the surrounding districts.

Mr Horn said if it would take about a year before the district became operative, it would be better to get the Government to distribute power. Mr Buchanan thought the Government desired the district boards to control the distribution. The board could be set up practically at once. Mr Buchanan then moved: “That a board be set up in the Thames Valley district for the purpose of undertaking the distribution of electrical power, the board’s districts to include Matamata, Piako, Thames and Ohinemuri counties, and other local bodies within that area.” The mover said the boundaries were only approximate, and doubtless would have to be curtailed by an executive.

On the chairman’s suggestion it was decided to add the clause, “and any other districts that may desire to come in.” The chairman stressed the need for appointing an organiser, and also consideration of the financial position. Mr Buchanan thought the dairy companies would gladly assist, as electrical power would be very beneficial to all farmers. He thought information as to the cost ,in other districts, especially in Canterbury, should be obtained and supplied to dairy farmers as soon as possible. That was the surest way to convince them. The chairman was of opinion that an organiser should be appointed at once. No time should bo lost in getting every possible information. Mr Grace thought ratepayers would only be required to pay one year’s rent. The scheme would be self-supporting after that. The question of remuneration for an organiser was next discussed briefly, and Mr Horn suggested as an alternative that one person in each district be appointed to procure the information as to the amount of power likely to be required. It was decided to ask the several dairy companies to circularise their suppliers to ascertain the amount of electrical power likely to be required. The clerks of Borough councils and Town boards are also to be asked to supply information bearing on requirements in towns and townships. This information, it is hoped, will be available at next meeting. The following executive was then set us: —One member oach from all Borough councils, County councils, Town boards, Chambers of Commerce, and dairy companies within the district, and Messrs W. C. Dixon (Paeroa), H W. Gifford (Te Aroha), D. W. Jones and G. VV. Horn (Eastport road),and F. M. Strange (Thames Valle} Hydro-electric league), with power to add.