POWER BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4377, 13 February 1922, Page 1

POWER BOARD.

FEBRUARY MEETINGThe February meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held on Tuesday. Present: Messrs F. M. Strange (chairman), C. A. Arthur, J. Bell, J. B. Thomas, J. Price, W. J. McCormick, J. Pohlen, J. C. Miller, F. E. Flatt, F. H. Claxton, and P. Grace, and the secretary-man-ager (Mr R. Sprague) arid the engineers (Messrs Gauvain and McLeod). Tire chairman advised that the conference of power board representatives, respecting the proposed uniform reduction of wages paid to the outdoor staffs, would take place at Hamilton on Friday. Jt was decided to advertise the date of the next examination for wiremen’s certificates at Hamilton, the chairman remarking that there are quite a number of candidates in the Board’s district. , The Minister 'for Education advised that he had arranged for a Circular letter to all schoolmasters urging them to carefully warn children of the danger of touching electric wires or playing with kites near such wires. The School Journal would also contain an article on the subject. It was decided to thank the Minister for his action in this matter. The manager, answering a query by Mr Thomas, stated that the Board has power to strike an interest r.ate over each portion of the district as it is reticulated. Mr McClennan, Government representative at Hamilton, advised that so far no agreement had been made tor the direct supply pf power to .the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co.’s factory at Waitoa. Discussing recent cancellations by prospective the Board made it clear .that several of those who had cancelled did not appear to have realised the advantageous terms offered by the Board in respect to installations. Respecting a complaint by an Australian firm that it had not been fairly treated by the Board cancelling a contract for the supply of crossarms, it was stated by the manager arid engineer that the order was placed last November on the statement that the cross,arms were ready for shipment, whereas unconscionable delay was caused, the firm’s letter stating that the crossarms were not cut until the order, was placed, Mr Pohlen inquired the reason for the recent cutting off of power at Matamata. Mr Gauvain replied that he underi stood a switch had blown at Hprahora, but the light was soon restored. Several instances of interruption were instanced, which! prompted the chairman to reiriark that the Board -was requested two or three times to sanction the use of al 7h.p. motor without the use. of a starter. If this were permitted interruptions may be' fairly frequent. The Board’s advisers were strongly opposed to the granting of such requests. The Thames County Council made a claim for alleged damage to roads and bridges by, the Board’s lorries when carting poles in that part of the district. Mr. McCormick said there was no doubt damage had been caused; Mr Anderson remarked that one settler in his district had complained that the Board’s gang had entered on his property to er.ect poles without his consent, and even without him being approached. Mr McLeod, on the settler being named, stated that the man had personally given his consent. The chairman said there was a minute on the books requiring the foreman to first obtain the settler’s consent before the land it entered upon.

The manager said the lorry drivers had been instructed to be careful to see that no, damage is done to bridges. Mr Thomas said he understood the was working under the Public Works Act, and therefore was exempt from liability for damage to roads, provided the loads were not excessive. Referring to damage to bridges, Mr Pohlen suggested that lorries should always carry extra planks for reinforcing bridges that appeared some-, what “dicky.” The chairman said it seemed that the lorry, in crossing a bridge, had slipped off the longitudinal planking, and the consequent jar had fractured a stringer. Mr Flatt thought the Thames County Council should be met in an amicable spirit. Mr Arthur agreed. , Mr Thomas remarked that the Powed Board and the County Council re presented practically the same ratepayers and ‘should help each other. Mr Flatt then moved .that the maib ager and local representative inspect the locality and report to next meeting. .Further, Chat copies of the county and borough by-laws be obtained. and the requirements thereof be observed, the lorry drivers to be firmly instructed to observe the regulations. Mr Price seconded. —Agreed to. At the instance of Mr Arthur it was decided to require lorry drivers, to immediately report any damage done to bridges or roads. It was decided to make an exhibition of electrical goods at the Morrinsville A. and P. Show on March 15, similar to the exhibit made at Te Aroha show. The Morrinsville Borough Council’s request for one special light near the borough boundary was acceded to. . Mr Price drew attention to the fact that the Matamata Town Board had not yet received a reply to its inquiry respecting the provision of lights in the town,

The manager said he had given instructions for a reply to be sent. He would make inquiries. The chairman said the balancesheet had been audited, and the result was distinctly creditable to the Board and to its manager. Some three or four “tags” had been appended, but all had been accepted by the Department. The "tags” merely referred tri bookkeeping methods, the Department requiring a cer-i tain style. The figures were correct. Some comment, said Mr Strange, had been made respecting the payment of certain commission to Mr Gauvain while that gentleman was in England. The facts were that the Board had agreed, prior to Mr Gauvains’ departure, to pay him 2% per cent, on purchases for the Board. Mr Gauvain had effected certain purchases. Many months later Mr Gauvain entered irito an, agreement, one clause of which was that he should make purchases for the Board free of commission.•' Members had quite forgotten the earlier arrangement. The payment was made, of bourse, in compliance with the undertaking a year or so before. Hence the item in the balance-sheet. The chairman stated, that as soon as the main Te Aroha-Morrinsville line is completed the intention was to undertake the Te Aroha-Manawaru line, via Stanley Road. The poles were ready in Te Aroha now for this work. Mr Thomas asked when the Waitoar Waharoa line via Ngarua would be put in hand. The chairman stated that the manager and engineers wpuld be guided largely by supplies of material- He wouldUike to see Ngarua supplied in readiness for next milking season. The manager said about ten miles of poles and other material were ready for the Te Arpha-iManawarn line. - Mr Anderson thought the best paying part of the Waitoa-Waharoa line would be nearest Waharoa, and the work should if- possible be startedfr.om that end. The chairman agreed, but. said supplies would have to be ordered for this line very soon now to have them ready when the gang is fere. .Mr Bell asked about Walton’s position. Some of the poles for WaitoaWaharoa could best be delivered via Walton station. Mr Gauv.ain said his idea was to move the main gang from Morririsville to Te Aroha shortly for the Te, Aroha-Manawaru line; and another gang for. the Tirau-Putaruru line. Good results had been secured by the canvass in the last-mentioned district. To Mr Miller, the engineer said that before next meeting the Thames Road gang would be transferred Turua. Poles were not yet available there, but were <iue in a few days. Mr Strange, to the engineer: Will (he money available be sufficient to construct the number of miles of line that was estimated originally ? Mr Gauvain : The original figures are now being checked against actual results, and' I feel Confident that the work originally laid out will be completed within the original estimate. - Regret was expressed that some properties had been entered upon without the necessary permission being granted, owing to the action' of an official not now in the employ of the Board, and steps will be taken to avoid a recurrence..