PROSPECTS FOR POWER

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20732, 16 February 1939, Page 15

PROSPECTS FOR POWER

TE AKAU AND WAINQARO SETTLERS’ MEETING PROPOSED In order to ascertain the possibility of flic electric power reticulation of the To V ;<ll and Waingam d: iricts, an investigation of the posil'on has been made by the enginecr-mw:.ser of tho Waikato Central Electric I’.- ver Board Mr J. R. Ellis, who, in rep'Tbig to the board yesterday, suggested the advisibility of either making a further canvass to get settlers to sign for to the limit for which they would be prepared to pay. with the knowledge that the amounts would he definitely collected each two months from the time power was available, or that meetings be called and the position placed before the settlers. It was decided to hold a meeting of settlers of the district. In his report on the investigation, Mr Ellis slated that during the canvass an endeavour was made to obtain guarantees to the extent to which electriclt> could be economically used and, generally speaking, electricity to the amounts signed up for could be so used in each case. This did not mean that the amounts guaranteed were the utmost that the people were prepared to do to obtain a supply. To endeavour when canvassing to get everyone to sign up for the limit of his capacity whether he could use it or not was unsatisfactory. As a result of the canvass It was found that the extensions would cost £9173 15s. On a basis of 15 per cent, the revenue required was £1376. Guarantees had been signed for £757 by 41 consumers which left a guarantee shortage of £619. Additional guarantees of £238 were considered possible. The estimates dealt only with the main lines, which were the only ones pegged and canvassed. It did not mean that other parts of the area would be denied a supply. lOnce the main lines were erected it would be a simple matter to put in whatever extensions offered sufficient revenue to warrant the expenditure. Mr G. Smith said he knew three of the largest landowners in the district were prepared to pay more for power if necessary if that would be required to ensure a supply.