SUPPLY OF POWER.

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

SUPPLY OF POWER.

NEED FOR EXPEDITION. FASTER RETICULATION URGED. At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board a lengthy discussion took place on the dssinability of expediting the work of reticulation in various parts of. the board’s area: The subject was introduced by Mr J. Pohlen (Matamata), who stated that reticulation had been promised in parts of the Tatthei, Matamata, Puketurua, and Wardville districts, and at the rate of headway being made by the board there seemed to be little chance of power being available in time for the coming milking season, and he wished to know how the members viewed the matter. He was of the opinion that an effort should be made to have the work expedited.

■ Mr F. E. Flatt concurred, saying that in view of the milking season being at hand again it was up to the board to get a move on. He-said that the board was out to cater for the public, and it should be in a position to render prompt service. Every facility should be afforded the gangs to push on with the work, and, if necessary, extra gang® should be employed The chairman (Mr F. H. Claxton) said that settlers signed up for power one week and expected to be supplied the following week. The board must have reasonable notice, and a large number of applications could not ne dealt with at once. The work must be undertaken in order of urgency, and it was desirable to complete the work in one locality before commencing in another. Such factors as the supply of material, means of transport and condition of roads and wefither, and the moving of the gangs, all had to be taken into consideration. In cases where a settler h'ad signed up for power for his milking-shed and the board was unable to supply it in time for the milking season, the board had arranged to lend an engine to' tide the settler over until electricity could be installed. The. board was fully alive to its responsibilities, and every endeavour to give satisfaction was being made. Mr Gauvain explained the steps take in a new district, and stated that after a canvass had been made, and if the line was a payable one, the board authorised the work to be done, and it was carried out as far as conditions and materials permitted. Mr Gauvain was of the opinion that little would be gained by putting extra gangs on, as work begun must be completed before a new district was undertaken. Main transmission lines were the board’s first care, and he thought it was not desirable to erect branch lines until the former were completed. A supply of poles that was due to arrive would be distributed in Waihi, Hauraki Plains, and Matamata districts.

In reply to Mr J. W. Anderson the engineer stated that there was about 100 m<les of line to be completed. Mr Pohlen asked if it would not be possible to increase the number of the personnel of the gangs without actually increasing the number of gangs. He contended that one and a-quarter miles a month was not progressing fast enough. It was.decided to approve of the suggestion made by Mr Flatt, that the engineers be asked to bring down a report at the next meeting showing the work authorised, and a list of material on hand and material due co arrive