POWER FOR ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1921, Page 6

POWER FOR ELTHAM.

A LOCAL SCHEME.' At a meeting of the Eltham Progress League on Wednesday Mr. Moss reported on the question of lighting the town by electricity. He stated that it took a long time for a power board to be formed, and hQ predicted that it would be years before any plan they adopted under such a board could be in working order. The scheme he had reported upon could be supplying light and power in twelve months, and whatever happened no part of this scheme would be scrapped He stated that he understood the Patea river was capable of developing 400 h.p., but the cost of the transmission lines would be £BOOO. Moreover, a resident staff would be needed, which- would add seriously to the annual charge. The Kapuni river even at its present Tow stafe was capable of developing 150 kilowatts, but the transmission lines would cost £4OOO and a staff would also be needed. the Waingongoro river. Power could be developed between the Cornwall and Clifford roads. There was a splendid grade for a pipe line. At the present time it would develop 100 h.p. at a cost of £6O per h.p., viz., £6OOO. Reticulation would cost n £10,500. The plant would be known as the unattended or automatic. It would not be necessary to pay the ertgiffeer a big salary, as the plant would not require his constant supervision, and he would be. able to augment it by private work. Allowing 6 per cent, interest and 2 per cent, -depreciation on plant, and 5 per cent, on the line and other charges, the total annual charges would be £1375. The revenue would be : 300 consumers for light at £6 per annum, £lBOO ; 50 power consumers, at £9, £450; total, £2250.

The chairman (Mr. Bridger) said that in view of the proposed power board the matter would have to receive careful consideration. He understood Taranaki would be about the last to be linked up to the Government scheme. He thought that, as Eltham was certain to grow, the scheme outlined was on the small size. In reply to Mr. Wilscm, Mr. Moss said the borough had all rhe powers of a power board. The advantages of his scheme were that it would take much less time to construct, it would cost less than could be supplied from outside, and it would mean having a resident engineer in the town, whose services would always be available. There was a possibility of an increase of head by carrying the pipe lines below Salmon’s property, where nearly 150 h.p. could be developed. Mr. Moss also stated that a further 50 h.p. could be got by installing a suqtion gas plant at a cost of £7OO extra. After a lengthy discussion and resolutions and amendments had been withd**wn. it was decided to adjourn the Star.