ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4524, 7 February 1923, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. MANAGER’S REPORT. At yesterday’s meeting of th>c Thames Valley Electric Power Board the manager (Mr R. Sprague) reported as under:— AN EMPLOYES’S DEATH. I regret to report the electrocution at Bowler’s Road transformer on December 16, 1922, of Mr Frank Webb one of the Board’s oldest employees, who was attending to a defect when a sparrow alighted on the knife of the ,air break switch, making a contact while Mr Webb was inspecting a 3000 volt fuse. Death was instantaneous. Mr Lockyer was with Mr Webb at the time, and every assistance was rendered. I immediately proceeded to Bowler’s Road with the police. Dr. Gordon was already there. Mr Waters was also there, and was instrumental in locating the cause of the contact. I notified the chairman, and also got in touch with Mr McLeod who, with Mr McLennan, of the Public Works Department,, arrived in Te Aroha at midday. After inspecting the scene of the accident these gentlemen were satisfied that. Mr Webb’s death was caused through the sparrow making contact. Full reports from Mr Waters and Mr. Lockyer are on the table for, your perusal The inquest was held on Monday, the 17th. Mr Gilchrist attended on behalf of the Board, also the chairman. and the Coroner’s finding was “That Mr Webb was electrocuted while carrying out his duties at Bowler’s Road transformer, no blame being attachable to anyone.” Mr Claxton and Mr Arthur attended the funeral on behalf of the Board, and tiie works were also closed out of respect for the deceased, the employees attending -the funeral. The chairman instructed me to write Mr Webb’s relatives in England expressing the Board’s sympathiy, which' has been done. All information has been supplied to the Public Works Department, as the correspondence' already before you will have shown. The regulations given to the linesmen and signed by them agreeing to carry out the instructions contained therein were, in the Coroner’s opinion, satisfactory and safe. REPRESENTATION. While in Wellington the chairman and myself interviewed the Public Works Department with; reference to the proposed alteration, which will bo gazetted this week and is as follows ’. Piako County Council 2 members, Matamata County Council 2 members. Hauraki Plains County Council 1 member. Ofrinemuri County Council 1 member. Thames County Council 1 member. Paeroa Borough Council, 1 member. Te Arohia Borough Council 1 member. Thames Borough Council t member. Morrinsville Borough Council 1 member. Matamata Town Board 1 member. I would suggest that each local body be notified as to the.altered representation, and also the date of election, which is: Boroughs in April and counties in May, each local body having to take its own election. DEPOT AT NGATEA. The troubleman’s building is now eercted at Ngatea, and application has been made for a telephone connection, which should be installed at an early date. CHARGES. Reduced charges for small herds. It is l now proposed to charge, with a 1 h.p. motor installed, for thpee-pow plants, £lO 10's for 35001 b of butterfat, increasing pro ratio to £2l for 70001 b of butter-fat. These rotes will apply to installation of I'h.p. motors only. This should assist the farmer with small herds, f would like this confirmed. MAINTENANCE. I Maintenance reports are how received weekly from each; depot, giving the time and causes of all stoppages and attendances. The reports are on the table for your perusal. CANVASS. Motumaohp district has now been canvassed, the returns from same warranting the line being erected. Waikino canvass has also been completed, but the return from same is not quite completed. The old Te Aroha. Road has also been canvassed, and is payable. POLES. The “Lindstol,” with a further load o,f poles numbering 1046, left Newcastle on January 26, and should arrive during the month. Thi-s should allow of all works in hand and authorised to be completed:. ’* SMALL HERDS. Mr Thomas, referring to the question of reducing charges for small herds, said it should be made known that a 1 h.p. motor was suitable for a two-cow plant. He could not advise small holders 1 to link up under the present scale of charges. Mr Price asked if the man who hind a 2% h.p. motor, yet whose output was below the minimum, should not also benefit by ,the proposed reductionIt was decided to put the 1 h.p. motor on,the basis recommended, and to obtain a report on the question raised by Mr Price. REPRESENTATION.

On the motion of the chairman the clerk was authorised to notify the, local bodies concerned in regard to the election of representatives. Mr Pohlen raised the question as to when the Matamata Town Board would elect its representative, seeing that the election in connection with that body would not take place till later. He thought it might, be possible to appoint a representative at any time. It was decided to make inquiries ■with a view to clearing up this point.

THE WAIKINO CANVASS.

On the motion of Mr Grace it was decided that on completion of the Waikiho canvass the work there should, if the report is favourable, be gone on with as soon as' possible.