POWER BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4657, 4 February 1924, Page 3

POWER BOARD.

GENERAL INFORMATION GIVEN.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION.

'••Ou of t he HauraKi Plains there are as many as 12 milking motors to the mile; in fact, in some instances there are more than a dozen to the mile," declared Mr G. A. Bush, accountant to the Thames Valley Power Board, in the course of an interview (says the Pahiatua Herald). Mr Bush imparted some illuminating information concerning the popular demand for electric power in the northern district, and it must prove of particular interest to local dairy farmers, who are hoping that befoie the end of the present year the current will be in operation in the Tararua Power Board’s district.

* “The district served by the Thames Valley Board is a well-settled one,” rentalked Mr Bush. “It covets an area of 2300 square miles, extending from Thames in the north to Putariifu in the south. The scheme has been' going for about three years, and the Board's loans have all been carried by very substantial majorities, and so far the Board has sorrowed up to a rum of £550,000. Approximately, there are over 1000' milking motors of 2h.p. and 3h.p., and ne’arly 100 industrial motors from - %h.p.; up io 50h.p., the latter including sawmills, flaxmills, and factories.

“Out of these 1000 milking motors there is not 1 per cent, of dissatisfied consumers. In numerous cases the farmer states that although the cost is a little higher whew compared with the benzine engine, this is more than counterbalanced by the comfort an 1 convenieuse derived from electricity. Moreover, the cows milk far more contentedly. Another important fact is that there is no fear of the milk becoming tainted from exhaust fumes. There is no danger of contamination of the milk as with some non-electn-cal plants. “Books of instruction are issued to every consumer, respecting lighting, domestic appliances, and motors; lhe consumer is thus enabled to remedy any small defects that may arise in his installation. The Thames Valiev Board seems determined that the consumer shall have competent service at all times. To secure this, ‘troubiemen’ are located throughout the area. They are linked up with consumers day and night, so that shouk a motor break down during the evening milking it is adjusted prior to the next morning’s milking.

•’The. Board has its own trading department, the turnover last year being £37,000. Installations are carried out on the instalment plan, payment being at the rate of 25 per cent, deposit, the balance -being spread over . wo years at 7 per cent, interest. Last year the income from lighting, heat, and power amounted to approximately • 23,800.

“The charges for power, are based on a flat'rate of £2l per annum, for a minimuin of 70001 b of butter-fat. Smaller suppliers are subject to a reduction- pro rata. All butter-fat ovei 7000’lb is charged for at tlie rate of (-lie-third of a penny per lb, so that a farner supplying 15,0001 b of butterrat would pay approximately £32 per year for his power.”

Mr Bush quoted the instance of a : ettler who advised one of the Board’s “troubiemen” one evening-that his motor had burned - out. A new one was quickly replaced by the staff, and the plant was all in order again for the next morning’s milking. This is an instance of the expedition and skill .if the Board’s staff.

Tn the Board’s district there is also a high . tension telephone system, which is of great convenience to consumers.

So far it has not been found necessary to strike a rate within the Board s area to meet any charges in eennection with the payment of the loans. The Board is hoping to carry the whole scheme to completion without the necessity for striking a rate-

The supply of power is obtained fibm Horahora, with sub-stations at Matamata, Waikino, and Waihou.