Area: Prosperous
Started: February 1952
Finished: January 1953
Poles used: 1132
Line used (km): 93
Premises connected: 250
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
Motorised milking machines were forecast to be in demand in Prosperous according to The REO News from April 1953.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Prosperous Rural Area, Co. Kildare: Originally, according to Mr. H.P. Adams, R.A.E. and Mr. Walls, A.O., there were 400 economic acceptances in the Prosperous area. Between the date of canvass and the commencement of construction, 19 houses were supplied individually and a further 10 premises did not take supply by reason of being demolished, unfit for habitation or becoming vacant. Backsliders totalled 37 to give an overall loss of 66 premises. As against this, 87 new consumers were obtained to bring the final total to 421. At the time of writing the report, final figures for cost were not available but it was not anticipated that there would be much over‑expenditure. However, the return was likely to be diminished because 42 of the additional 87 consumers were on Special Service Charges on the limit ratio of 20:1.
It is an unfortunate fact that many of the backsliders can be supplied cheaply but had refused to take supply because their Fixed Charges were rather high.
Sales in the area included 3 Cookers and 4 Water Pumps. Several enquiries re Cookers were directed to Showrooms. A surprising feature of the area was that many people were already in possession of Cookers, mostly second‑hand. There were two cases where Pumps were purchased from outside contractors after all the necessary advice had already been given by the Board’s staff. This, of course, is a feature which may happen from time to time and we investigated one particular instance to learn that there had been some misunderstanding on the part of the consumer arising from representations of which we would not approve. However, the position is now clear in such cases and we have been in touch with both the consumer and his advisor and do not anticipate any recurrence.
As Prosperous is a fairly extensive dairying area, it is anticipated that there will be some demand for the motorising of Milking Machines."