ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4761, 8 October 1924, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. MEETING AT TE AROHA. The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held at Te Aroha yesterday, Mr F. H. Claxton (chairman), presiding over Messrs F. £. Flatt, P. Grace, G. Howie, F. M. Strange, C. A. Arthur, J. lohlen, J. McCormick, W. E. G. Willy, and J. W. Anderson. The engineers, Messrs Gauvain and McLeod, and the man-ager-secretary, Mr R. Sprague, were in attendance. SUPPLY OF POLES. A, C. Brown, Newcastle, advised that 500 35ft poles had been shipped from New South Wales on September 26 POLES ON CANAL BANK. The Lands Drainage Department, Kerepeehi, wrote with reference to the board’s propopal to erect power poles on the western side of the Mau-koro-Waitakarur.u canal, and pointed out that in view of the canal having to be widened, and that as dredging would be done with an excavator operating from the bank, it would be advisable to erect the poles on the opposite side of the road. The letter also pointed out that provision had to be made for maintenance dredging on practically all the canals, and it was necessary to keep power lines clear of the canal banks. —Referred to the engineer. SUPPLIES OF CABLE. P, R. Billie and Co. acknowledged receipt of the urgent order for 7-16ths cable, and stated that under normal conditions the supplies would have be th forthcoming, but o.wing to the employees of the works at Port Kembla being out on strike shipment had been delayed for a fortnight. SUPPLY TO SCOTCHMAN’S VALLEY. The Central Power Board, Hamilton, wrote agreeing to supply power inside the board’s area at Scotchman’s Valley under the following conditions; (1) Central Board to be allowed to erect the necessary lines to supply electricity to the Tamahere Road Board’s quarry and such other consumers in the valley as it desired; (2) the Thames Vall,ey Board to have the right to take over and pay for the lines after a period of not less than five years from date of current being turned on, upon giving the Central Board si?; months’ notice in writing of its intention to do so ; (3) should the Boards not agree upon the price to be paid, the matter should be settled by arbitration; (4) should any of those whom the Central, Board wished to supply with electricity desire financial assistance for the erection of their service lines, or the installation of electrical equipment, the Thames Valley Board to instruct the Central Board to put in such service lines or equipment on its behalf. Authority to be given to the Central Board to collect the instalments ar. they became due and to place same to the credit of the Thames Valley Board. The chairman detailed what had taken place during the conference between the two boards, and after a brief discussion the conditions were confirmed. INSECTS IN POLES. The biological laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Wellington, advised that the specimens of insects forwarded by the board had been identified as those of the branch-cut-ting longhorn (Benthelium munda), an Australian beetle which was very common under the bark of imported hardwoods. POWER REQUIRED. A. C. Firth, Kerepeehi, wrote advising that he had completed the erection of the necessary poles and was anxious to have the wiring commenced as soon as possible, in view of the fact that coal, was costing over £4 a ton to land at his flaxmill, and he anticipated that a considerable saving could be effected. In reply to Mr Willy the engineer said he hoped to have the power turned on by Thursday next. MONEY TO LEND. A Dunedin sharebroker wrote offering to negotiate loans for the board and setting out the terms and rates of interest in connection therewith. TREE PLANTING. Mr J. N. Spence, Mangaiti, wrote offering his land to the board for tree plaiting purposes. The price for the 2000 acres was £5OOO, plus a first mortgage of £765. —Referred to Finance Committee. APPLICATION FOR TROUBLEMAN. The Putaruru Chamber of Com-me-ce wrote requesting the board to appoint a troubleman for Putaruru, as the town and district wais growing rapidly. It was decided to advise that the demand did not warrant the application being granted as a troubleman was already stationed at Tirau. DEMAND FOR PAYMENT. Arising from the outward correspondence was a letter to the Rising Sun Goldmining Co. demnading payment for current supplied. The manager stated that the compay was over £6OO in arrears of payment for power and numerous requests for payment had been made. Mr Flatt moved that immediate steps be taken to recover the amount, and failing payment within a specified time that the power be cut off. Seconded by Mr Strange, who stated that-he agreed that every company should be put on a similar footing to private consumers. WAIHI RETICULATION. In reply to Mr Grace the chairman said that as soon as the poles had all been cross-armed the erection of poles within the Waihi Borough would be commenced. Everything possible was being done to expedite the work TROUBLEMEN’S HOUSES. The special finance committee recommended the erection of four houses, tendering to be for one or the four, at Ngatea, Tirau, Paeroa, and Te Aroha, the architect, to be paid &i/, per cent, for the first house and 3% per cent, for the balance. ■ The estimated cost for the erection of the

cottages was not to exceed £7OO each, comprising five rooms with all conveniences. Mr Willy said he considered that the rate proposed to be paid the architect was too high. The chairman said that the fees included all out-of-pocket and travelling expenses, and the rate would work out far cheaper than employing a competent clerk of works. The recommendation wais adopted, with the exception of the deletion of the names of the townships. SUPPLY OF POLES. Mr Flatt asked if the supply of poles was assured for the future. The chairman replied that a further shipment was due this month, and that the board would then have ample poles to carry on for all work authorised to date. CANVASS OF KARANGAHAKE. In reply to Mr Flatt the chairman , said that there had been no Inquiry for power from the residents of Karangahake. NGATEA-PIPIROA SECTION. Mr Willy asked when the power could be expected on the Ngatea-Pipi-roa section. He eaid that the season was getting on, and the settlers in that area were becoming rather perturbed at the delay. Mr Gauvain replied that the area mentioned would be made alive in about three weeks’ time, and the balance of that particular section he honed to have completed a fortnight later. CHAIRMAN’S HONORARIUM. Advice was received from the Minister for Public Works agreeing to the sum of £250 being paid to the chairman as an honorarium for the current year.