Pole Famine Delays Power Reticulation

Chronicle (Levin), 22 September 1949, Page 4

Pole Famine Delays Power Reticulation

"I cannot understand people building all eleetric houses away out in the country when they know that the board cannot give them a guarantee of immediate connection," said the chairman, Mr. T. G. Vincent, at a meeting of the Horowhenua Eleetric Power Board yesterday. The board was discussing an application for a temporary line to a house in a new subdivision, the owner stating that 'he would be prepared to meet the cost. "We just cannot allow these temporary connections in areas pending reticulation," said Mr. Vincent. "There are such a vast number of them and it will mean holding up permanent work. People building in these areas are made aware of the position when they start to build and they must realise the necessity of providing for an alternative power. ' "It might be necessary in the future, when permits for wiring these houses are given, to make it clear that we cannot give any guarantee of power in, maybe, less than three years," continued Mr. Vincent. The board's reticulation of subdivisions was being he'd up because of* the lack of 30-foot poles, and in the last shipment from Australia there were only three of this size. A flood in Australia, the strike and then a further flood had held up the delivery of poles. "Until we see some daylight ahead in regard to these poles, it is hard to say how long these subdivisions will be held up." The managing-secretary, Mr. R. A. Frederikson, said that in all cases when permits for wiring such houses were issued, it was pointed out that no guarantee of linkink up the power could be given for at least 12 months. On the other hand, some land agents told clients that the power would be there before the builders were ready to start and many people went ahead on this advice.