ELECTRICITY FOR THE SEASIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2688, 29 January 1924, Page 2

ELECTRICITY FOR THE SEASIDE.

A REDUCED RATE SUGGESTED.

At the Inst meeting of the Horowlienua Power Board Mr A. Ross remarked that there was a good deal of comment about the minimum charge of £3 per year for -easide eoftages, which were only in use for perhaps a month in the year. He thought that the Engineer might consider if some fairer rate could he produced. A tint rate mightlie charged. The chairman, Mr G. A. Monk, pointed out that there was already a mini mum rate, which was just a-l-'out the least they could do it at. It must he understood that even if the people wanted to take the current only one night in the week, the Board had to he ready to give it to them oil all seven nights. It made no difference to the Board whether they took it on one or seven nights. The engineer: There seems to be nothing much doing down on the Foxton beach. Mr Ross: The people won’t take the current at £3 a year. The chairman said the engineer seems to think that something could he done regarding the beach houses at Foxton. In reply to a question lie stated that the main thing was to build the main trunk lines from centre to centre, picking up busi ness along the route. Mr Overton would have a gang available in about four weeks time which could begin on the subsidiary lines. The policy was to build these where they were a payable proposition. If there was a spot where there were a number of settlers who wanted current the Board would build a line to them if it was a payable proposition. If it did anything else it would soon find itself in a mess. Mr Seifert remarked that there were .130 bench cottages at Foxton. The chairman: It will he a big proposition in this district with so many beaches. Mr Seifert: It will he best to canvass them now when most of them are occupied. They will perhaps la* more favourable to the current

now. Mr Ross said a difficulty would be that -O many of the cottages were inhabited by tenants. A member: Go to the owners. The Engineer: We shall only collect from the man who signs the .-• pplication. A motion was carried referring the matter of n rate for beach houses to tin* Engineer for a report to the next meeting.