POWER POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1938, Page 7

POWER POLICY

RETICULATION OF RURAL AREAS POSITION OF WAIRARAPA BOARD STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN “The matter of rural reticulation has not been neglected in this district, and for our size and population we have a record very few boards can equal,” observed the chairman, Mr A. C. Pearce, when replying, at yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board to criticism directed at its policy by Mr F. C. Daniell. “At the same time,” added Mr Peace, we have been able to get our prices down to a low competitive. basis. Both objects, reductions in charges and rural reticulation have received equal attention, and a proper balance maintained.” “The Board has always had two main objects in view,” continued Mr Pearce, (1) “To reduce charges for electricity to such a low figure as to make its use possible by everybody for all purposes; (2) To reticulate the rural districts to the fullest possible extent without penalising to too great a degree the more thickly populated parts of its district. The total of the reductions in charges to all classes of consumers now amounts to £22,987 per annum. The amounts of the reductions were taken out on the consumption at the time the reductions were made. On present consumption the reduction would amount to considerably more than the amount shown: “When first constituted, the board’s inner area consisted of 302 square miles. In the process of reticulating the rural districts, the area has been increased to 643 square miles. In 1925, after the towns and intervening and adjacent districts had been reticulated, there were 291 route miles of lines erected. Again, in reticulating the rural districts, the route miles of lines have increased to 580 miles. “The following are the more important districts which were originally in the outer area, butxwhich have been brought into the inner area and reticulated. The list does not include, of course, the very many miles of lines erected to serve the rural part of the original inner area. Rangitumau, Kaka Amu, Wangaehu, Bideford, Weraiti, Taueru, Taueru Valley, Admiral, Gladstone, Longbush, Ahiaruhe, Ponatahi, Awhea, Dry River, Tuhitarata, PirinoaLake Ferry, Kahutara, Cross Creek. “Most of the above districts were reticulated on the guarantee system. Up to fairly recently, the period of the guarantees was five years. In almost every case it was found that after the guarantee period had expired, there was a substantial discrepancy between the revenue and the amount of the original guarantee. On a total of twenty lines, this discrepancy amounts to £1773 6s 4d per annum, and this is being carried by the balance of the district. This does not represent, by any means, the total discrepancy on all rural lines, but covers aproximately 100 miles only, serving 385 consumers. “During* the depression years 1933, 1934, and 1935, the board appropriated the sum of £1345 for rebates on deficiencies accrued under guarantees. The board has already contributed £19,759 from revenue towards construction work, and has also this financial year, authorised the expenditure of a further £lOOO for the same purpose. Detailed estimates have been prepared and submitted to the settlers concerned, together with all further necessary information covering the construction of a further 150 miles of lines.