WAIUKU DISTRICT ELECTRICITY SCHEME

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 503, 6 February 1920, Page 2

WAIUKU DISTRICT ELECTRICITY SCHEME

COUNCILLORS OVER THE ROUTE.

(Staff Representative)

A highly important scheme supplying electric current for power an lighting purposes is in hand by Messrs. McEwen and Hutton, Ltd., electrical engineers, Waiuku. The scheme takes in the district of Waiuku, Aka Aka, Otaua, and down to the Waikato River. It is considered that it might be feasible to eiU'nd the scheme still further, and la supply current to the Tuakau Town District.

On Wednesday a party visitea Waiuku and inspected the proposed route of the wires and district to be served. The party consisted of the following members of the Franklin County Council: Crs. W. Claud Motion (chairman), T. W. Woods, H. Wilcox, T. J. Lockwood and JI. Thomas; also, Messrs. A. Hanna (solicitor to the council), Brown and Fordick (electrical and mechanical engineers to the company), J. F. McArthur (county engineer),* and Alan P. Day (county clerk). The party motored over from Pukekohe, under arrangement by the company, who were represented by Mr. W. McEwen (managing director of the company), M.\ L. Busley, representing Mr Percy Basley (solicitor for the company), and Mr. C. B. Herrold. On arrival at Waiuku the party had lunch at the Kentish Hotel, after which the scheme was explained by the company's engineers. The idea is to put in a plant to generate 415 volts at Waiuku, and, by means of transformers, to step up to 6600 volts for the district. For milking machines 400 volts w>uld be used, and 230 for household purposes, the current being alternating. It was proposed to charge 5d per unit for current for power purposes, and 9d for lighting, per meter. The cost of the scheme was estimated at approximately £25,000, and the form cf power suction gas. The fuel could fee coal, coke, or wood. Cr. Motion, outlined the council's position, stating that if the scheme and the financial basis it rested on were favourable, and met with the approval of the council's solicitor and engineer, the next thing would be for the council to secure a, license from the Government and suh-let the same to the company, thereby enabling the council to safeguard the interests of the ratepayers. Mr. McEwen intimated that the company would defray all legal expenses.

The party then motored to Aka Aka and Otaua, securing a view of the district it was proposed to reticulate. Mr. McEwen said he was assured that practically every dairy farmer in the district would use an electric motor to drive his milking machine, and current for lighting..