POWER SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1921, Page 6

POWER SCHEME.

SMALLER DISTRICT FAVORED.

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL’S DECISION.

A discussion on the respective proposals of the Taranaki Hydro-Electric Committee (formerly the Eltham Hy-dro-Electric League) and the Taranaki Progress League, took jflace at Saturday’s meeting of the Eltham County Council, arising out of correspondence from the Progress League. The Council eventually decided not to entertain the league’s proposals. The Progress League forwarded the report of a sub-committee dealing with the proposal to form a hydro-electric power board. The league also asked if the council, would assist it in obtaining a power board district for the whole province. A copy of the report of the chief electrical engineer on hydro-elec-tricity in Taranaki was received from the Public Works Department. Cr. McGuinness reported on the conference held at Stratford under the auspices of the Eltham Hydro-Electric Committee, which was attended by a large number of delegates from all parts of tJie proposed power district, and at which a committee was unanimously appointed to proceed with the formation of the power board. Representatives of the Progress League were present at that meeting, but they did not stop to vote on the resolution. About eleven days later the Progress League advertised in the newspapers, asking ratepayers not to sign any* petition. The committee had met the representatives of the Progress League on two occasions since, and endeavored to come to on arrangement, and he understood those representatives were going to report to a further meeting of the Progress . League. The Progress League wanted a power board for the whole of Taranaki, and to force New Plymouth into that board, but Mr Birks had stated that the Government would not cancel New Plymouth’s license. Further, after visiting Eltham and meeting the committee, Mr. Birks had been quite agreeable to the areas consisting of the counties, of Eltham, Stratford, Inglewood, and Whangamomona being formed into a power district. New Plymouth had taken a poll of the ratepayers and decided to develop their scheme as it was required—up to 8000 h.p. if necessary—but in any ease it prepared to supply the power board' with 150 Q h.p. within eighteen months.

Cr. A. H. Campbell moved that the league’s proposal be not entertained. The chairman said he would prefer not to take any action in the matter. Cr.' E. J. Gilford seconded the motion.

Cr. R. J. Knuckey thought too much attention was being directed to the New Plymouth scheme, and not enough to the possibility of developing local sources of supply. The chairman replied that both the Hydro-Electric League and the Progress League were only working for the formation of a power board. It would be for the board to consider sources of supply after it was formed. The resolution was carried unanimously.