HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1921, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

PROPOSED POWER BOARD. • ATTITUDE OF ELTHAM. In accordance with the decision arrived at at its last meeting the Eltham Hydroelectric Committee is now circularising local bodies, dairy factory companies and others in the district concerning the proposal to form a power board, as suggested by thci Government, for the Eltham, Stratford and Whangamomona counties and their boroughs. The circular points out that the Government’s chief electrical engineer (Mr. Birks) had intimated to the committee that after an inspection of the province generally he was of opinion that the New Plymouth works presented the best prospects for this district, especially for an early supply of current, and then goes on to say that if anything is to be done towards furthering the generation of the electric current, and there are many reasons why this should be expedited to the fullest extent, it will be necessary to form a power board in accordance with “The Electric Power Boards Act, 1918.” With this object in view, the committee (which includes representatives of the Eltham County, Eltham Borough, Eltham, M Mangatoki, Ngaere and Tiri- a moana Dairy Companies) since meeting Mr. Birks, has held a further meeting and passed the following resolutions:— (1) That in the opinion of this committee a power board should be formed to include the counties of lEltham, Stratford, Whangamomona and Inglewood and boroughs lying therein, and that that all local bodies and dairy factories within that area be asked to appoint not more than three delegates to attend a meeting to be held at Stratford on Monday, the 11th April, 1921, at 10.30 a.m. te discuss the proposition, and if approved decide upon a course of action. (2) That Messrs. Bellringer (general manager) and Bartley (electrical engineer to New Plymouth Borough Council) be asked to attend the meeting.—Argus. THE ELTHAM SCHEME. STRATFORD COUNCIL'S VIEW. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford. March 22. A letter from the secretary of the Eltham Hydro-e’.ictrie League, proposing that au okMric power board be formed including ihe Counties of Eltham, Stratford, Whangamomona and Inglewood and the boroughs lying therein, did not receive au altogether favorable tecrption at last night’s meeting of the Stratford Buiougn Council The lettec further asked the council to nominuie three delegates to attend a meeting to be held at Stratford .on Monday, April 11, at 10.39 a.m., to discuss the proposition, and if approved, to decide upon a course of action. The letter also referred to Mr Bilks’ recent visit and to the importance of the New Plymouth scheme. The Mayor (Mr. J. W r . McMillan) said the subject of the letter was the sort of thing that upset the continuity of the work of Ipcal bodies. A progressive league had been formed for the whole province, but now there was a proposition from a section of the province to form a separate body. Eltham had been asked to join in the big project but had refuged absolutely. While not wanting to throw cold* water on the scheme or treat Eltham discourteously, it seemed to him that- eveyy little town and district might want tp get a scheme foi* themselves and if they did not get it would not agree to help the whole province. He would be agreeable to the appointment of delegates to hear what Eltham had to say, but not to give them power to act. Cr. Jackson: I move that the letter be received. Cr. Stewart seconded.

A general discussion followed, councillors generally indicating that they were opposed to anything but a provincial power board. An amendment moved by Cr. Young to the effect that delegates be appointed and that every facility be afforded the visitors, was carried by five votes to four Ayes—The Mayor and Crs. Cameron, Young, LawSbn and Walsh. N oes —c r9 . Stewart, Thompson, Jackson and Newton.

The Mayor and Crs Hunter (chairman of the Electric Light Committee) and Cameron were appointed as delegates.