POWER FOR ORAKEI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 426, 7 August 1928, Page 16

POWER FOR ORAKEI

BOARD FIXES £4OO GUARANTEE COST OF RETICULATION That a minimum guarantee return of £4OO should be asked from the Government in the reticulation of the new suburb of Orakei was the decision of the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon. Because of peculiarities In connection with the work at Orakei, the general manager, Mr. R. H. Bartley, had recommended that £350 or £375 should be asked. “With all due respect to our management,” said Mr. M. J. Bennett, “I think we should lay down a certain amount. I suggest £400.” “Normally £690 would be the guarantee from such an area,” said Mr. Bartley. “There is some £3,000 of work to be done, which in ordinary circumstances could not be charged to the estate. It is just a question of whether you think I have been too liberal in reducing the guarantee.” TIT FOR TAT “We must not overlook the fact that the Government insists on guarantees from power boards,” remarked Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman. Mr. Bartley said the total cost of reticulation at Orakei would be £ 6,939. Two years ago £6,000 had been the estimate, but the scheme had been extended. The work would take about a year to complete, and the peculiar lay-out of the district would make work more extensive. At present there were only four houses to deal with, but many sections were sold. “I find that in the opening up of a new estate like this, 75 per cent, of the people take electricity without question,” said Mr. Bartley. Mr. E. IT. Potter questioned the correctness of asking the guarantee from the Government, but was assured that the Government was the owner. After considerable discussion, the guarantee sum was fixed at £4OO.