POWER BOARD ELECTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1938, Page 9

POWER BOARD ELECTION

VOTE FOR R. J. KING AND H. P. HUGO. (Published by Arrangement.) On Wednesday, May 11, 1938, an election will be held to elect TWO MEMBERS to represent the Masterton Borough on the Wairarapa Electric Power Board. As we have pointed out on previous occasions, the administration of a Power Board demands a special knowledge, which can only be gained by actual experience over a long period. We have served you faithfully for many years, and have made a close study of the many problems which come up for consideration. With the knowledge so gained, we are able to render more useful service than one who has not had that experience.

The results obtained over the past few years clearly indicate that the general policy matters which have been introduced by the Board from time to time have been on sound and progressive lines, and designed to meet the varying conditions which are likely to be experienced over a period of years. During the slump period, we were able to make reductions in charges, which, on the consumption at that time, represented a saving to the consumers of £16,454 per annum, and we were still able to show a profit after making proper provision for depreciation and loan repayment. The undertaking responded immediately to the better conditions which have existed during the past two years, with the result that there has been considerably increased turnover in all departments, and increased profits which the Board has been able to hand back to the consumers by way of further ■ reductions in charges amounting to an additional £BlBO per annum.

RESULTS COUNT FOR MORE THAN PROMISES.

Since the Power Board election three years ago, charges have been reduced by no less than £11,546 per annum, in which all classes of the community have benefited. Domestic light and heat have been reduced from 6d and 3d per unit to sd, ljd and Id per Unit; commercial light has been reduced from 6d and 5d per unit to sd, 4d and 3d per unit. Reductions have also been made in the charges for water heating and industrial motors. This is a very fine record, and it is particularly satisfactory that during a period when all costs are rising, and when the consumers are paying more for most other services, the Board has been able to make such substantial reductions in its charges. At the same time, reasonable precautions have been taken to provide for the many contingencies such as depreciation, extraordinary damage by storm and earthquake, replacement of poles and other perishable materials. In 1936, the Board made a very definite improvement in the Masterton street lighting at practically no additional cost to the Borough. The very latest in modern street illumination was provided in Queen Street by the erection of eleven lamps of a special type. Ninety-nine additional lights were erected throughout the Borough, and, in addition, where trees interfered, the bracket type lights were changed over to centre suspension.

The Masterton Office and Showroom have been very much improved and enlarged, and are now a credit to the Board and the Borough. Direct telephone connection between the Head Office in Carterton and the Masterton Exchange has been established to facilitate the Board’s business, and for the convenience of the Masterton consumers.

An emergency loop line has been erected from the Sub-station into Masterton, so that in the event of anything happening to the main feeders, a supply can still be maintained. The country districts have received their full share of attention. Our policy has been, and still is, to give a maximum of service in the country districts without imposing too heavy a burden on the towns and closely settled areas. When one takes into consideration the low charges in this district compared with other country Power Boards, and also the fact that we have erected, and in use, 570 route miles of line, we can claim to be carrying out this policy successfully. Since last election, 51 route miles of new distribution lines have been erected; 744 new consumers have been connected up; 377 ranges and 436 water heaters, 1124 motors, 10,031 light points and 3541 heat points have been installed. This spells progress, and progress properly controlled means further reductions in charges and improvements in service generally. We fully appreciate, of course, that a majority of the consumers are now situated in the Masterton district, and the major part of the new development is taking place in that area. In our opinion Masterton is the natural centre, and the Head Office of the Board should be established there. The Carterton building cannot, however, be discarded unless the money invested there is properly safeguarded. The question of moving the headquarters to Masterton is under consideration, and will be dealt with during the next few months. We have no hesitation in stating that witn the same careful administration in the future as in the past, together with the necessary initiative in obtaining new load, the steady reduction in charges which has taken place in the past will be continued. We have had the experience, we are willing to serve you, and we trust you will give us the opportunity of doing so by recording your vote in our favour on Wednesday, the 11th instant. R. J. KING, H. P. HUGO. Masterton, May 5, 1938.