The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1920. ELECTRICAL EXTENSIONS LOAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1920. ELECTRICAL EXTENSIONS LOAN.

To-morrow, the ratepayers of the borough of New Plymouth will be called upon to decide whether they will authorise or reject the proposal of the Council to raise a further loan of £60,000 to complete the first portion of ,the hydro ; electric extensions. It will be remembered that the borough's hydro-electric development sehem,» was prepared by Mr. Blair Mason, it being intended that the complete scheme should develop nine thousand horse power. For the present, however, a modified scheme fo- developing three thousand horse power is being carried out at a total estimated cost of £172,000, of which the ratepayers have already authorised the raising of £112,000, and they are now Hiked to sanction the raiaina of the bul-

anee of '£60,000. It lias teen moat unfortunate that the rise in the cost of labor and material lias been so great since the scheme was originated that ratepayers may have become alarmed at the latest figures, yet there is no ground for alarm as there ia no probability ot the whole loan ever entailing any call on them. The main points for the voters to keep in view in casting their decision at the poll are that as the present plant is working to its full capacity, unless the money for extension purposes is sanctioned, not only will there be no margin in case of breakdown, but the expansion of a profitable undertaking will be prevented, the progress of the town held up, and the Council stultified by being compelled to carry on with hopelessly inadequate equipment. The position is by no means satisfactory, but the only wise course 1»> adopt is to make the best of unfortunate circumstances and vote for the loan. Even at the high cost of the work now a good profit is certain to be made, and the ratepayers cannot d(. wrong in voting for a loan which is praofcically imperative if the electric power service is to be developed as it should be. Any other course is unthinkable.