HARDWOOD POLE SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 15

HARDWOOD POLE SUPPLY

MERITS OP AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE OF ENGINEERS WMBS ' ISBOCMVIOH XELIOIUM.) WELLINGTON, September 14. The supply of poles for electric power reticulation in New Zealand was discussed at considerable length at the conference of the Electric Supply Authority Engineers’ Association, which was continued in Wellington. Particular attention was givcn to the use of Australian hardwoods, the whole subject being fully and freely examined in the P res , e nce of the delegation from New South Wales Forestry Commission. . Contending that the ,° cc ® sl ° one for plain speaking, Mr H. F.JLpogood said that in the past to the use of Australian poles had arisen from the fact that such a large percentage had to be condemned upon arrival in New Zealand. He was not in any way suggesting that the condition of these defective poles was the result of a deliberate attempt to ‘‘put something over New Zealand. The circumstances in which concrete poles were to be preferred the hign cost of transhipment of Australian poles, the desire on the part of the supply authority to fill its requirements in New Zealand and better lasting qualities of concrete—were outlined by Mr J. G. Lancaster. Mr L. B. Hutton (Wellington) said that had it not been for the Australian hardwoods the history of the development of electricity in this country would have been very different. Replying to criticisms by the speakers, Mr E. H. F. Swain, Commissioner of Forests for New South Wales, said that if a mutually acceptable specification could be arrived at Australia would be able to deliver better and cheaper poles as far as the New Zealand market was concerned. Mr Swain and other members of the delegation discussed in detail the points raised by the delegates, and gave a general assurance that New South Wales was prepared to take all possible steps to clear up any difficulties and to facilitate the supply of hardwoods lor New Zealand. The suitability of New Zealandgrown timber for polos is fully examined in a paper to be read to the conference on Thursday by Mr A. Buckingham (North Canterbury). ELECTRIC SUPPLY ENGINEERS TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS AT COiNFERENCE (PRKSS AKKOCIiTIO* rr.l.KtilUM.) WELLINGTON. September 14. Technical subjects related to tlic supply of electricity to the public occupied the greater part of yesterday’s session of the conference in Wellington of the Electric Supply Authority Engineers’ Association. , The morning was occupied in a discussion on the use of Australian hardwood power poles. During the afternoon attention was given to a paper from the Institute of Electrical Engineers dealing with the technical aspects of the supply of electricity m rural areas. The conference will conclude on Thursday.