POWER BOARDS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 6

POWER BOARDS.

NORTH CANTERBURY. Tlie monthly meeting of the North Canterbury Electric Power Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs D. li. Hutchison (chairman), .T. Fitzpatrick, J. D. Wyllie, A. Baxter, A. M. Carpenter, H. Tallott, L. B. Kvans, and J. Cowens. Mr A Buckingham, engineer-secretary, reported that the permanent gang had completed the overhaul of the Smarts road line, three defective poles having been "renewed and blightly under half a mile of extra high-tension run to give better supply to consumers in Coldstream road. A larger transformer had been erected for a new range installation on the Waipara river line, heavier low-tension put up in Lawcock's read, Amberley, supplying a number of consumers. Transformers and condenser? on Amberley and Sefton sv b-stations had been tied down to the structures in case of damage by earthquake, a precaution recommended from the Napier area. The outside superintendent in his report foe the month of February, stated there were three new consumers connected and eight extensions to existing installations. One range and four motors were connected. A total of ICO faults and consumers' comp'aints were attended to. The inspector-salesman reported that a preliminary canvass had been made of the small dairy fanners of the district with the object of introducing a small milking machine, designed for herds of from five to fifteen cows. The financial statement for the month of February was presented in the loans account; the total receipts were £4014 15S in the power fund account, the receipts were •£'BB6 19s 3d. Accounts amounting to JEI7OG Ifis 4d in the power fund account and £1824 17s 8d in tho loans account were paused for payment. The Auditor-General returned the balancesheet for the year ending 1931, duly certified. The Local Government Loans Board wrote in connexion with the Kowai Redemption Loan. The Beard sanctioned the terms of the loan for ten years with 1 per cent, brokerage. Sanction was also given to raise fv renewal loan of £3OOO in connexion with the Rancriora County loan of £SOOO, due next April, the rate of interest to be 5J per cent, with 3 per cent, sinking fund. A supplementary report waß received in connexion with the Kowai renewable loan of £14,000, stating that £BSOO had been raised at Si per cer.t., and arrangements had been made with the bank for an overdraft on the balance until the debentures had been sold. Ine report was adopted. SPRIN GS-ELLESMERE. The members present at the monthly meeting of the Springs-EHcsmere Power Board, held at Leeston on Monday, were: Messrs A. h. Langdalo Hunt (chairman), H. Neave, G. Maginness, and E. H. Rowell. On ac s count of a bereavement, Mr R. T. McMillan was granted leave of absence, and the Board expressed its sympathy with him. In his report the engineer (Mr L. C. Vicary) reported having discussed with tho hoad of a South Island firm the matter of having steel poles made in New Zealand. Hitherto all tho steel poles used had been imported, chiefly from America. The local firm was going into the question, and he hoped to receive information to place before the Board in tho near future. The engineer also reported having considered the question of a Diesel generating set for use at peakload periods. The cost totalled £SBBO, and

the annual charges would be * 136 ? j saving could be made of approximately £6JO. Members considered that the purchase of such a plant was out of the question at present, on account of the sum involved. It was stated that the money .would have to be raised by loan, and that the Government was unlikely to grant permission to raise the money. . _ . Reports from the Paparua supervisor, Tai Tapu' supervisor, inspector, and lines foreman were considered and adopted. In regard to the supply of current to Paparua Prison, it was decided to charge per k.v.a., plus l& per unit, and that all houses on the prison property should be metered and the current charged tpr at schedule rates. „ . - Mr \V. G. Cooper asked for relief from a guarantee with respect to the lino serving his property, but the Board could not see its way clear to -grant the requesfC Mr Maginness moved ft resolution that the Government should be requested to postpone Power Board elections. from May next to 1935 - The Leeston Town Board wrote asking the Board either to reduce its charges for street lighting or to remove some of the lights. It was decided to forward to the Town Board a list of the street lighting charges made by Boards throughout the Dominion, and at the same time inform the Board that its request could not be acceded to.