Mr Masters asked whether it was the intention of the Government to charge to one dominion hydro-electric capital account the cost of the construction and installation of all schemes completed, in progress, or projected; to charge all maintenance and working expenses to one account; and to charge a flat rate all over the dominion for power supplied, so that, irrespective of the cost of any scheme in any particular locality, users in that locality would obtain their power at the same rate as users in any other part of New Zealand.
The Hon J.G. Coates said there was no secret as to the attitude of the Government or the department. There was a standard Government rate arranged, which had been issued and printed. To say that the Government would stand by these rates all over New Zealand indefinitely would be to make a wrong suggestion. All the Government required was to make a net profit over expenditure. Mr T.K. Sidey (Dunedin South) asked what the position would be in Dunedin — where they had established their own scheme at Waipori. Mr Coates replied that the Dunedin City Council had a licence both to produce and reticulate and no government would interfere with that. It was a right they had themselves, but the city council there contemplated further developments and the Government had suggested that they should add to that proposed development so that the Government could take a certain amount of power from them, and transmit it.
Competitions commence
The twenty-first annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society was commenced yesterday with so large an entry that, in addition to His Majesty’s Theatre and the Victoria Hall, Burns Hall had to be called into requisition for the dancing events. There is every indication that the present festival will prove quite as successful as those which have preceded it.
The usual custom is observed of hearing the preliminary rounds in the daytime, and reserving the recalls for final adjudication at His Majesty’s Theatre in the evening — a procedure that is the means — of providing a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment each night. Last evening’s programme was of a promising standard of all-round merit, and as a result there was a large and very appreciative attendance.
Life of quarantine keeper
The death occurred at Akaroa last Tuesday of Mrs E. Dougall, aged 89 years, an early settler of Otago. Mrs Dougall came to Otago from Melbourne with her husband and three children nearly 61 years ago. Her first home was in Hamilton Bay, moving from there to Otago Heads, where her husband was employed as one of the crew of the old-time pilot schooner. Owing to ill-health she moved from there to Port Chalmers, where she remained till her husband was appointed caretaker of the quarantine station. After her husband’s death in 1890 Mrs Dougall, assisted by her son, continued to carry on the duties of quarantine keeper for 10 years. Since then she has lived in various places, finally going to reside with her daughter in Akaroa seven years ago. Her three children all died on Quarantine Island, where they were interred, together with her late husband, Mr John A. Dougall.
ODT, 21.9.1922
