ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4746, 3 September 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. MEETING AT TE AROHA. The regular meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held at Te Aroha yesterday, the chairman, (Mr F. H. Claxton), presiding over Messrs P. Grace, F. E, Flatt, W. E. G. Willy, G. Howie, J. W. McCormick, J. Pphlen, J. W. Anderson, J. B. Thomas, F. M. Strange, and C. A. Arthur. Messrs Gauvain and McLeod (engineers) and R. Sprague (secre-tary-manager) were also in attendance. WAITAKARURU POWER LINE. The Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department wrote with reference to the Board's proposal to erect a transmission line across the post office section' at Waitakaruru. The department stated that there appeared to be no objection tp the erection of the line provided the poles to carry the transmission line were placed five feet back from the front boundary and close up to either side boundai y of the site. It was pointed out that in the event of. the erection of a post office building it was possible that the proposed minimum clearance of 21ft might not be sufficient, and in that case the board would be required to make the necessary alteration. SUPPLY OF RATA. A letter from a Hamilton firm of sawmillers was received offering to supply first-class sti'aight-grained-rata timber for cross-arms at 45s per hundred feet f.o.r. Frankton Junction. The matter was referred to the engineers. OFFER OF TIMBER FOR POLES. S. W. Black, Whangamarino, Waikato, wrote stating that he had a plantation of eucalyptus stringy bark growing at yvhangamarino. The area was about 100 acres in extent, and the trees had been growing for nearly fifty years. Poles could be cut up to 50ft in length and fifteen inches at butt, tapering to 9in at top. The matter was referred to the Conservator of State Forests for a report as to the suitability of the timber for pole purposes. CONCRETE BASES FOR POLES. W. W. Impey, Auckland, forwarded plans and specifications of concrete bases for transmission poles.—Referred to the engineer for a report. EXTRA CURRENT. The chairman reported that he had interviewed the Minister for Public Works in order to ascertain if more power would be available for the board. In response to the request a telegram had been received from the Minister stating that he was prepared to undertake that the board’s load would not be restricted below 2500 kilowatts, and it was hoped to increase the supply to above those figures in the future. The question of the additional supply was discussed at length and the matter was referred to the engineers. WAIHI RETICULATION. Three business firms in Waihi wrote notifying the board that they agreed to its terms for the supply of power and lighting. The Waihi Borough Council wrote stating that as an outcome of a conference held at Te Aroha it was agreed that the installation of electricity was to be available by August, but so far there was no evidence of the work having been commenced. The chairman said that the council had been informed that the work would be commenced on arrival of the poles, but nothing definite had been stated that the work would be undertaken by August. As soon as the poles arrived at Kopu by the Louis Theritiult they would be immediately isent on to Waihi. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £3539 9s 6d on the Loan Accoun tand £1844 10s 8d on the Power Fund Account were passed for payment.