MANGAHAO ELECTRIC SCHEME.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 15 October 1919, Page 3

MANGAHAO ELECTRIC SCHEME.

WANTS- SPEEDING DP. At the meeting of the Hsrowhcnua County Council on Saturday' a letter was read from the Mangahao Hydro-Electric Power League reporting on the progress of the work at (Shannon. The road, it was stateu, was in bad order,, tunnelling plant, had to come from England, and tho committee was not satisfied with the way the work i was being carried on. They estimated the work would take ten years to complete, instead of four, unless it was done more expeditiously. The League thought steps should be taken to force tho work. Cr. Harkncss agreed that speed was ncessary, and considered if the work was taken in hand in a thorough manner it could be done in less than four years. The Minister had referred to lack of labour, but the speaker said there was plenty available if looked for in tho right direction and a fair wage paid.

Cr. Broadbelt considered the Council should move from a local standpoint, contending that the sooner an application was put in the better, while.the, Chairman agreed, and maintained that the Council should be looked upon as the controlling local body. He then read the following report, after which the letter was treated as received:

The committee is in correspondence ith local authorities and individuals

in Canterbury on the installation of electricity, and has already received a considerable amount of useful informa-

tion. When further replies are received, a detailed report will be submitted; but as one instance of the work of local bodies in connection with this matter, the particulars of the work to the Waimairi County will be of interest. This cdiinty, whose head office is in Papanui, near Christchureh, is con.neeted up with the Lake Coleridge scheme. The county buys its current from the Christchureh City Council, finding this cheaper than going to the Public Works Department direct, the charge being on a graduated scale from £8 13s 4d to £0 per K.W., according to the'eurrent used. At the present time the county has 100 miles of line and

1200 consumers with a growing demand. The reticulation was done by day labour, the wire, poles, etc., were purchased on contracts to supply. The capital cost to the county has been £35,000, and the money was raised without, any difficulty on debentures bearing interest at 5 and 5J per cent. Advances are made to ratepayers to wire their places on reasonable terms of repayment extending over 5 years."

Tho Chairman added that the committee desired more information, which would be secured. He agreed that the work should be pushed on, and as the controlling body said it would be able -to sell power at the lowest possible rate. He did not believe in making money on such an installation, but thought ratepayers should get every benefit that was to be derived. The instaUation. however, would have to be made to pay its way.