The Times. "PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1919. ELECTRICAL DEVELOPMENTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 461, 28 March 1919, Page 2

The Times. "PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1919. ELECTRICAL DEVELOPMENTS.

The meeting of representatives of various outlying districts held at Pukekohe on Wednesday last in connection with the proposal for current to he supplied from the Pukekohe Borough Council's electric plant to neighbouring parts of Franklin County is likely to be of far reaching importance both to the Borough and to the localities included the scheme. Electricity is nowadays regarded as an essential equipment in every household and in every branch of industry and hence the current agitation for the Government to become responsible for the distribution of hydro-electric power throughout the Dominion. Speaking on this question on Wednesday last at Christcliurch at a gathering at which he was being farewelled prioi to leaving for England Mr Evan Parry, chief hydro-electrical engiueer for New Zealand, said " New Zealand has a unique opportunity of providing electrical power for itself and now is the time to do it before the country is more settled. 1 hope that it will seize the opportunity and carry out these schemes in such a manner as to render power generally available throughout the whole of the Dominion to every householder, and aiso to every kind oi industry. I hope that those who come after me will hear one thing in mind and do their best for those in the most isolated parts of the community. It is some perversity in the human character that the more isolated a man is the more out* is inclined to leave him in isolation, but the more isolated he is the more he is in need of mechanical pjwer. It is quite right from a business point of view to supply electricity first to the towns and then to the country ; but I hope that those who come aiter will not overluok the importance of getting this supply to every individual., and especially, to the more isolated portions uf the community."

The Pukekohe scheme can be

regard-id as a tentative measure in the way that it provides for the linking up ul tli district preparatory to a Government installation so that when the latter comes about, although it may be years hence, it will mean a change over to the new process of supply. To the Buck laud branch of the Fanners' Union is to be given the erelH of formulating tlu> idea, which was heartily taken r.p by the Executive oi Jie Franklin sub-provincial distiict of the Union, who pissed it on to the Council. On their p-.;t, t':e trough Cr.iucil Law gi.cii

! sy.upatln.lic attention to liie n* ( jieseiitauons made them and the ( ouncil see prospects of nbilitv 'o '•'i **ood to others whilst at the same time ensuiiug a profitable sluice of revenue to the Borough. Expert advice lias yet to be obtained but if this proves favourable the project will without delay assume definite form. At the same time instead of only a restricted area of the Borough being supplied as al present with e'ectric current the whole of the Borough will be brought within its scope and this is a desirable lociil sii.ni of progress.