Power Board Discusses Various Matters

Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1948, Page 4

Power Board Discusses Various Matters

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board was held at' Levin yesterday, pi'esent being Messrs. T: G. Vincent (chairman), C. S. Keedwell, W. G. Taylor, J. H. P. Liggins, R. R. Lind, ; R. O. Hornblow, H. Dustin, F. W. Vickerman and Major-General R. Young. Also Messrs. J. F. Bryce (engineer) and R. A. Frederikson (secretary) . In a recent Press report it had been stated that the Auckland Power Board had relaxed its restrictions in regard to neon lighting, said a letter from tne Levin Junior Chamber of Commerce. Would it not be possible for the board to do the same thing, it asked. A further letter in this regard was , received from a Levin merchant who asked for permission to use his neon sign, if not during the week, during the nours of 6. to 8.30 p.m. on Fridays. With very little 'discussion, . the board adopted a recommendation from the stan'ding committee to the effect that until such time as the unit position improved, the restrictions on.neon lighting could not be relaxed. A communication from ' the Electricity Controiler, Mr. A. E. Davenport, acknowledged the board's request for an increased quota. The matter would be brought before the Power Shortage Advisory Committee, he sai'd. The position was that it had to go before the advisory committee, commented the chairman in asking that the letter be received. A letter from the National Pravident Fund advised of a variaticn of the superannuation scheme, increasing the wrdow's benefit from £52 to £104 each year. It brought the scheme into line with Government superannuation. The chairman said that if the Superannuation Bcard decided to increase the benefits, local bodies would be compelied to increase the contributions. He ielt that before any t alterations were carried out the boar'd should lodge representations to see if the scheme could not be made more iequitable. At present it was awaiting further information on the matter. The communication was received. A' letter was received from the Shannon R.S.A. expressing appreciation of the board's donation, which was being used to send food to Britain. In order to assist in speeding .up the work on power lines under repair or cohstruction, it was decided to adopt a recommendation of the stan'ding committee and purchase a portable generator. This will allow electric tools to be used on outside work. The meeting decided to buy £5 worth of health stamps on receipt . 0f a letter from the Levin postImaster, Mr. A. V. Morgan-, asking for assistance in boosting the first • day s^les. With a net revenue of £34,538 for the first four months of the current ' financial year, the statement of earnings showed an increase of £4972 when compared with the same period last year, sai'd tthe managing-secretary, Mr. Frederikson, in his report. Unfortunately,. this rate of increase was not likely to be maintained, as rationing was very much more severe for the same period last year. For this reason. the figures were of little value for comparative purposes. The engineer, Mr. Bryce, reported on the monthly installations as follows: "During the period 33 applications have been received for new connections, inCi.uding 28 light and heat installations, 11 ranges, 11 waterheaters, three milking motors one separator motor, four purnp motors and four industrial motors Applicat'ons have been received for 31 extensions, including 45 lighting ■points, 69 heating points, 10 ranges, 14 waterheaters, three milking motors, three separator motors, four pumplng motors and one industrial motor. During the period 34 new consumers, and 43 extenuons were connected as foilows: — 16 lighting instaLations, 24 ranges, ,33 waterheaters, nine milking motors, seven separator motors, one pumping motor and seven industrial motors. New installations were connected in the following qreas: — Levin 13, Foxton four, Shannon three, Tokomaru two, Otaki four, Te Horo-Waikanae five and Paraparaumu -Paekakariki four." The board's new contract for the supply' of buik electricity, embodyjng the increased chargss decidea on, was received from the State Hydro Department. In repiy to a suggestion by the board that authority be given it to pass the increase on to consumers without having to apply to the Price Trijunal, the department advised that this was not possible and app.ication would have to be made to the Price Tribunal if the boaid wishea to raise its charges to consumers. The board accepted the contract, it oeing mentioned that the added cost to the board would be £1200 par annum.