The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1919. FRANKLIN ELECTRICITY EXTENSION SCHEME

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 475, 24 October 1919, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1919. FRANKLIN ELECTRICITY EXTENSION SCHEME

"We nothing extenuate, not tet down auoht in malice."

IN our last, issue we endeavoured to shew how detrimental it would be 10 the interests of the Borough of Pukekohe it the erroneous idea of handing over the Borough electricity producing plant to a power board had been accepted in place of the original intention, and carried into effect. To-da.\ we recur to the subject sn order brielh to comment on the injustice that would bo inflicted on outside bodies it they were obliged to lake over the existing plant and toot the bill for the additional plant required. The scheme, which is now reset nn its correct original basis, as will be *c<mi by n report in this issue, permits of outside local bodies partaking ol the

benefits without incurring any

further expenditure than what is required for roti« - ukition and niolt-rs. ;iii(l current as il is supplied. I'his. we ha\ c no hesitation in stating. i-' tho best basis for all parties. To saddle the outride bodies with the present value (greatly enhanced) of the Borough plant, plus £16,000 for additional plant, would he a gross injustice to those bodies. The outside ratepayers, while they may consider the three items ahovenamed as well worthy of their respective costs, would certainly be justified in refusing to have to pay for the plant besides—a totally unnecessary expenditure on their part under the circumstances. We believe that, after perusing the report already referred to, all parties will agree that a very equitable set of conditions have been drawn up, and, if carried into effect, will confer a lasting benefit on the whole County. Current for lighting and power will thus be available for twenty-four hours a day, and in every house, in the machine room of industrial concerns, and in the milking and shearing sheds the electric

motor will rapidly displace the expensive and troublesome internal combustion engine. Touching on matter* of policy, it may lie as well to stress the fact that districts which choose to stand out while others do the pioneering work are not likely to be allowed to come in later on as favourable terms as the original '"partners," we shall' say. Some people have a notion that the Government scheme, when it ultimately comes this way, will connect up with any place having a " hreaking clown " station. This view is widely astray, because it is not at all likely that the Government mains will be tapped at any place between Hamilton and Penrose, except at Pukekohe, in which case, if there is any advantage to be gained, Pukekohe will connect and give all consumers the benefits derivable. Resting on its present broad, deep, and solid foundation-, we can heartily recommend the proposals to every ratepayer in the area likely to he affected, and we hope to see the matter pushed forward with the greatest energy and enthui siasni.