ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4738, 15 August 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. MEETING AT ,TE AROHA. The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board wag held at Te Arolia yesterday, those present being . Messrs F. H. Claxton (chairman), F. E. Flatt, W. E. G. Willy, J. Pohlen, J W. McCormick, J. H. Anderson, J. Thomas, F. M. Strange, -C. A. Arthur, p Grace, and Messrs Gauvain and McLeod (consulting enigneers) and R. Sprague (secretary-manager). APPRECIATION. W. C. Woodley, writing from Tatuanul, expressed his appreciation and thanks to the board for having reduced the charges for power for milk ing purposes. Notwithstanding its simplicity and convenience against benzine, the writer considered that electric power had been too expensive, and he hoped that as more consumers were added to the list the price would be further reduced. CHARGES TO DAIRY FACTORIES. The Public Works Department Wrote giving the following new rates proposed for the supply to factories of the N.Z. Dairy Co., and to operate as from June 1, 1924: One penny per unit for the finst 4800 units a month, ,75d for the next 480'0, .5d for the next 4800, and .4d for all over 14,400 units a month. WAIHI RETICULATION. The Waihi Borough Council made application to have the electric reticulation extended from Margaret Street to Wrigley Street, and stated that there were at least four consumers prepared to sign up on that line. The letter- further stated that the council had no objection to Moresby Avenue being reticulated, but was not prepared 'to increase its guarantee for the main scheme. Mr Flatt said that it should be pointed out to the council that unless it was prepared to sign a guarantee the board could not undertake the ■work. A guarantee from private individuals could not be accepted. . SUPPLY OF POLES. The New South Wales agents foi the schooner Louis Theriault advised that <hat vessel had left Newcastle with a load of poles. The chairman stated that on ieceipt the poles would be sent to Tahuna and Waihi. PIPIROA CROSSING. The Marine Department forwarded a plan and intimated that the Gov-ernor-General had approved of the 11 000-volt armoured submarine cable in the bed of the Piako River at Pipiroa. .. ■ , , Mr Gauvain said that the cable had not yet been received. PAEROA BUTTER FACTORY. The N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co. wrote bating that it had decided to erect a 75 h.p. slip ring motor, to replace the 50-h.p motor at present installed in the Faeroa butter factory. The company advised that when the new installation was completed the motors in operation would total 97-h.p., and application was made for an increas- — cd- supply of power.—Granted. " RAILWAY COTTAGES. The architectural branch of the N.Z. Railways Wrote advising that the department had every desire to have completed and ready for occupation within nine months fifteen railway houses at Paeroa, and agreed to the board extending its lines to serve the cottages without insisting on the £45 per annum guarantee previously asked for. UNAUTHORISED EXTENSION. Mrs H. C. Brock, Paeroa, wrote admitting that her son had altered the position of a .light in the house. The act had been done in ignorance of the regulations, and the matter had since been corrected. It wap decided that the'staff should be authorised to take action against any offenders for interference with ihe board’s property or eelctrical appliances in the future. POWER FOR FLAXMILL. W. E. Price, Kerepeehi, wrote stating that a syndicate proposed erecting a flaxmill on his river frontage, and sought an estimate for 92 chains of transmission line through private property, one 40-h.p. motor and switch board, a 10-h.p. motor and switchf ‘ board, and the amount of power charges in connection therewith. —Information to be supplied. A CHARGE UPON LAND. The question of whether the cost of insulation in connection with electric power installation should be a charge ppon the land was discussed in coi respondence by a firm of Morrinsville solicitors on behalf of a client. The chairman considered that the cost of insulation was a charge' upon the land, and a new owner taking over a property was liable for the Cost. . PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST. A. M. A. Wright, Te Ppi, wrote enclosing a cheque in payment of his account for power and intimating that he had been absent from his home and was paying the 50 per cent, increase under protest. He stated that the board had advised at the outset that the original charges would not be increased, and if additional revenue was required a rate over the whole area of the board would be levied. The writer considered that the beard was penalising a few con.sumers of current for household putposes, and he doubted if it could legally do so. APPLICATION FOR POWER. A Dalziell, Puketurua, applied to have power connected to his house and shed, as he contemplated installing a milking plant this season. He was situated two miles from Horahora, and six chains from the Arapuni . Hne.—Referred to the engineer for investigation. NGATEA STREET LIGHTS. E. Walton, Ngatea, wrote acknowledging the board’s explanation of the cause of wastage of Ngatea street lamps, and that the cause had been ’ remedied and the next twenty lamps would be installed free by the board. INSTALLATION. S. Coppins, Ngatea, advised that he was anxious to have power connected

as early as possible, and that he was quite willing to purchase a motor through the board.—Referred to the engineer. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Messrs McGregor and McPherson, ■soliciiors, Morrinsville, wrote claiming on behalf of Mr K. J. B. McCardle £63 for the destruction of a horse, caused, it was claimed, by the negligence of the board’s employees. The amount did not cover the full damage, but Mr McCardle was prepared to accept that amount. If the money was not at hand within seven days the solicitors had been instructed to issue a summons against the board without delay. ( The Chairman: I’m afraid they’ll have to issue it. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £7278 1.6 s 2d on the power fund account and £8798 17s 5d on the loan account were passed for payment.