Thursday, April 21, 1955. THE TRIBUNE, WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. Power Commission Completes First Ten Years One of the most successful ven- tures ever undertaken for the bene- fit of the people of British Columbia ; completes its first decade of service this weekend. It was just 10 years ago—on April 17, 1945—that the B.C. Power Com- mission was established by the provincial government, passage in the Legislature of the following Electric Power ‘Act. as Today, the publicly-owned uti which operates as a Crown Corpora- tion looks back at its first 10 years of service. It can point to a com- mendable record of improving the availability and sppply of electrical power in many sections of the prov- ince. * Since its inception, the Commis- sion: has expanded steadily and met the rapid pace of B.C.’s postwar growth. It operates from Duncan to Dawson Creek, from the Queen of Service Charlottes to Quesnel, from the Upper Columbia Valley to Ucluelet ‘and Tofino on the west coast of Van- couver Island. after a government- appointed Rural Electrification Com- mittee survey revealed the need for re-organization and amalgamation of many power systems to improve and extend service, the Commission has grown in 10 years to an $80,- 000,000 utility serving more -than 56,500 customers in 26 areas defined as power districts. About 60 per cent of the customer total represents new services — which either were not in existence 10 years ago, or else had no electrical service available. Operating in many of the more sparsely-populated areas of B.C., the Power Commission has brought ade- quate electrical service for the first time to thousands of homes and farms, and in such areas has enabled the: people to enjoy, at reasonable The Pacifie Great Eastern Railway Co. VANCOUVER, B.C. AND. Prince George - DAYLIGHT Ss Ly-Vancouver (Union Pier) Ar-Wime, Lake Ly-Vms. Lake Ar-rr. George ly-Pr. George Ar-Wms. Lake Ly-Wms. Lake Ar-Vancouver (Union Pier) THROUGH FRE OPERATING THROUGH-FAST PASSENGER & EF! CPRESS SERVICE between Including Sleeping & Dining Car Service April 24 to September 24 inclusive = Ly - Vancouver-i - Wms. Lake-Wed-Frid-Sun FREE PICKUP AND DELIVERY ON FREIGHT AND EXPRESS PRINCE GEORGE, B.C, Squamish Dock SAVING TIME @a.m.-Mon-Wed-Fria Oa.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat 6:50a.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat 0p.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat 3.40p.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat Op.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat 0p.m.-Tues-Thurs-Sat 6:30p.m.-Wed-Frid-Sun IGHT SERVICE ‘Mon-Wed-Frid rates, the amenities electri brings, Interest Shown IMPROVED LIVING STANDARDS An indication in the improved standard of living which is to a large degree attributable to the improved electrical service is the fact that av- erage domestic consumption for the Commission’s system now is 215 kilowatt hours per month, about three times the 74 kwh. average monthly home usage in 1947. The prospect of ample economic power has been an attraction to in- dustry, too. A major factor in the decision of two pulp mills and a newsprint mill to locate on Vancou- ver Island in recent years was the availability of power from the 168,- 000-horsepower John Hart Develop- ment on Campbell River — the or- ganization's largest hydro plant. The Power Commission is an op- erating utility, which, to date, has received no governiment subsidy. Sale of electricity is its only source of revenue, and from this revenue, all operting costs ana fixed charges are met. Financing is by relatively long-term bonds which carry the guarantee of the provincial govern- ment. Though all generating and trans- ission costs are pooled each month, and all districts buy power at 1 com- mon rate from the pool, each district must be self-sustaining for distribu- tion purposes, and rates charged the consumer comprise the pooled cost of power plus the distribution ex- penses of the respective districts, RATES REDUCED AS increased consumption and greater customer density has occur- red in many districts, rates have been reduced. This month, the or- ganized areas of Campbell River and North Kamloops had their rates cut. To meet the electrical needs of its customers, facilities have been built and/or expanded. The Commission now operates four hydro generating Full Range of Paper Plates — Cups Vacuum J. Bruce Magoffin, Ph.C. Protect Your Eyes Beautifully designed -Sun Glasses . Sun-Clips and Nite-Clips ‘Williams Lake Pharmacy From Bright Sun 25c. to $3.00 Picnic Supplies — Spoons — Forks Bottles Phone 99-R-3 stations, has two more virtually Where it is u i or i to provide hydro power, 19 diesel-electric plants are operated. -There are 665 miles of transmission lines, and more than 3.000 miles of distribution lines to serve the growing number of cus- tomers. The increasing demand for the Commission’s services show no sign of slackening. Work is under way for major hyro developments at adore Falls and Upper Campbell Lake, Vancouver Island, at an es- timated total cost of $29,000,000. Close to $2,000,000 will he ex- pended for additional diesel gener- ating capacity this year; about $1,300,000 will be spent to improve and extend transmission facilities; and distribution extensions and im- In Film Council Projectionist Course Interest is running high concern- ing the local Film Council’s projec- tionist training course scheduled to begin next Monday evening in the Elementary school. This course will consist of seven evenings of instruction and examin- ations, and will be held for appro: mately two hours nightly. There will be a small fee of $3 to cover the cost of operation, training film rentals. rent, ete. This course will qualify the student to operate any 16 mm projector. Mr. T. Whitehead, National Film Board representative plans to attend the final examination evening. With competent operators avail- able in the yarious organizations it is hoped that they will encourage their groups to join and make use of the local film council. A local film library is the ultimate aim. Returning vecently from holida at the coast were Mrs. L. C. Hannah, Mr. ann Mrs. B. Carswell, Mrs, R. Mouqnin and daughter Gloria, Mr. and Mrs, ‘T. Larsen, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Latin, Miss Mary Latin and Mrs. BE. A. More. ° @ PIE-EATING CHAMP ss « provements in all power districts Power districts will total some