WHOSE IS IT?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 156, 20 July 1937, Page 13

WHOSE IS IT?

Our Own CorresponLdent)

Time Clock on Waipukurau Water Pump

. (From

WAIPUKURAU, This Day. Borough Councillors in Waipukurau, at last night's meeting, discussed at lei'gth the arrangements they have with the Central H.B. Electric Power Board in eonnection with the timing of the borough water pumping Spparatus. The subjeet arose wheh the Town Clerk, Mr H. B. Smart, stated that the Saturday before last the lights in a portion of the town had gone out about 8.15 p.m. The Power Board looked for the trouble at the borough pumping station, where they altered the time clock, contending that pumping could only be done between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This alteration in the starting time of the centrifugal pump resulted in a shortage nest morning of approximately 35,000 gallons of water in the reservoir. Feak-Hour Time Wanted The Town Clerk informed the councxl that "hg had wxitten to the Power Board saying that it was becoming necessary to pump longer hours owing to increased consumption. He had asked if he could be informed of the peak nour from time to time so that pumping could be regulated accordingly. . In hia letter he had taken exception to the alteration of the time clock by one of the Powe* Board offieials, more particularly on account of the fact that no steps had been taken to advise him of such an intention. Mr Smart further pointed out that the board must appreciate the fact that, under some circumstanees, the water shortage oecasioned by their action would be a serious matter. Ee ferring to the board *s conte#ition that pumping could only be done between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m,, the clerk stated that t.hijsi was not recognised by the council. Mr Smart explainea to the meeting that he and the Mayor had interviewed Power Board representatives aM had reached a tentative agreement whereby the pump could be run extra time to make up the shortage. It had further been agreed that' pumping should not start before 9.30 p,m. in the meantime, but he had pointed out, in writing to the board, that should it be founl necessary to commenee pumping before this hour ,they would be advised. A reply from the Power Board seeretary explained fully how, on the occurrence of the power shortage, he had intimated to the Mayor that every inquiry would be made in order that tbe soarce of the trouble could be located. The engineers called to see Mr Hamos, who looks after the pumping at the borough station, and secured the keys. On arrival at the pumping station it was discovered that the time clock was uusealed, and that the clock was set to come on at approximately 8.10 p.m. — 1 the time that the power had failed The clock was immeditely set for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and sealed. Mr Hames was advised that the clock had been set. Next day the Town Clerk made repxesentations that the time was nbt fcufbcient to pump the water. To meot the council as far as possible, the. clock was placed from 9.30 to 6.30. This appeared to be cjuite satisfactory to the Town Clerk.

Should Pull Together The Mayor, Mr I. W. N. Mackie, stated that, so far as he could see, the only thing to do was to. pull in together. It was not difficult to understand that it would not be easy for the Power Board to judge exactly when their peak loads would come and give notice accordingly. They (he and Mi Smart) had had a conference with the board, which had ended pleasantly en« ough. "Mr Smart considers the clock is cur clock, and if that is so it* should not be interfered with without notice," said Mr Mackie. "They maintain, however, that their agreement entitlea them td control the timing of tha switch. We want the clock to controi the phmp — they wa,nt to be able to switch the power on and oft' to relieve peak loads. The thing is very involvecl." The Mayor went on to- say that, while the council could appreciate tha Loard's difliculties, they did not want to be imposed upon. v Mr Smart: If the Power Board is going to st;op our pumping at certain nours, it is its duty tq inform us when uhose hours are. The Mayor: What we want to know is — what are the peak hours? Then we ;11 keep off them Ai'ter a i'e'w minutes of fruitless discussion, Cr. J. C. Windle suggested tuat the matter be left to the Mayor and clerk to confer again with the i'uwer Board. f This suggestion meeting with general approval, Ihe letter was received.