LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4658, 6 February 1924, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It was stated at yesterday's meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board that from the date of commencement of operations to the end of December, 1923, the Board had erected and livened 702 miles of electric power lines, and also 221 transformer stations.

The weight guessing competition in connection with the sports at Hikutaia on Anniversary Day was very popular, the guessers being'numerous, and the guesses ranging from 301 b almost to infinity. The correct weights were 591 b (sheep), 6291 b (bullock), and 688 (the aggregate). The winners .were Agnes Stace, who estimated the correct weight of the sheep ; Mr W. Fraser, who computed the weight of the bullock at 6311 b; and Mr T. Hitchcock, who struck tile, correct aggregate.

The total number of consumers connected to the Thames Valley Power Board’s mains at January 31, 1924, was 3281. which included 783 milking motors. The boroughs of Thames and'Te Aroha are not included in this number. There are 225 motors on meters. Thirty milking motors and 45 light and heating consumers were connected during January. It is anticipated that well over 800 milking motors will be- connected by March 31 next.

At the Magistrate's Court at Thames yesterday judgment was given the Hauraki Plains County Council against the following persons for rates due Frank- Smyth £3O Id,, costs £1 17s; E. R. Smith £6 8s 9d, costs* £1 2s ; G. P. Sexton £7 2s 3d, costs 16s ; F. Olsen 9s 6d, costs 19s ; Lillian Lough £6 13,s 2d, costs £1 8s ; T. S. Harris £4 J2s lid. costs £1 2s ; V, A. Collins £2 5s Bd, costs £1 2s 6d ; B. A. Carter £ll Is lid, costs £1 10s E. A. Booth £l9 19s sd, costs £L 8s ; R. B. Bennett £3 Ils Id, costs £1 I®Mr E. Walton appeared for the Council.

"When we signed on we were informed that electricity would be much cheaper than our ordinary mode of lighting, but we have not by any means found it so.” The above was received by the Thames Valley Power Board, and read at yesterday’s meeting, froin Mrs E. A. Ross, of Waihou, who stated that she had been expecting a reduction, not an increase. The letter concluded-with ; “Trusting your Board will reconsider the resolution and act with business intelligence and integrity.’’ “There’s one for you,” remarked the chairman. (Laughter.)

An auction* sale of special interest to farmers and others is to take place at Parker’s Mart. Thames, next Friday, February- 8, commencing at 1.30 p.m. A list of the articles to be offered will be found in our advertising columns*

"If we hear anything more about those dogs we shall have to cut the Turua people off,” said Mr G. Howie, jokingly, at yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board, when several letters dealing with the accidental electrocution of a couple of dogs at Turua some months ago were dealt with .in the -outward correspondence.

At the combined meeting of the Turua and Kerepeehi Ratepayers’ Associations on Monday night the question of the delay in getting telephone communications with other places was brought up, and it was suggested that combined action should be takenA member pointed out that complaints should be made in writing to the Department It was decided to take no action.

A tally of the traffic passing the intersection of the Kerepeehi-Kppun-rahi road and the Orchard East road (Parry’s Corner) during the hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. has been taken daily for the week ending on Sunday night by officials of. the Hauraki Plains County Council at. lhe request of the No. 2 Highway District Council. The return is as follows : Motorcars ; 55, 39, 53, 58, 41, 43, 43, total, 332 ; motor lorries : 18, 16 1 , 16, 26, 16, 18, 5, total, 115; motor-cycles: 13, 13, 12, 9, 10, 16, 9. total, 82 ; bicycles : 25. 26, 21. I!», 27, 40. 53, t' tai, 211: waggons : 11, 15, 6, It, 9,8, 7, total, 67: drays: 4', 12, 18, 15. 23, 14, 11, total, 97 ; traps and buggies : 5, 32, 12, 1, 16, 8, 30, total, 104 ; hacks;: 43, 51. 23, 32, 29, 32, 19, total, 229 ; cattle, 14: sheep, 75.