ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4784, 3 December 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. REGULAR MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held in Te Aroha yesterday, the chairman. Mr F. H. Claxton, presiding over the following: Messrs P. Grace, F. E. Flatt, W. E. G. Willjy, J. Pohlen, J. B. Thomas, F. M. Strange, C. A. Arthur, R. Sprague (secretary-manager), and Messrs Gauvain and McLeod (engineers). CHRISTMAS SHUT-DOWN. The N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., wrote asking if the board intended shutting off power during the Christmas holidays. The engineer said that so far as it could be estimated at present there would not be a shut-down. WAIHI RETICULATION. The Waihi Borough Council wrote drawing attention to the danger created by the erection of a pole at the corner of Seddon Street and Moresby Avenue. It. was stated that the pole encroached on the roadway, and \t might be the cause of an accident m its present position. A further letter was also received in continuation of negotiations between the board and the council relative to the supply of electricity to the Waihi Borough. An application was made for consent to the borough being included as an outer area of the biard, and also that the board should do the reticulation of the borough anc supply the energy to its residents.

The chairman intimated that negotiations were proceeding with the department concerning the outer area. With reference to the pole objected to, the engineer stated that it was not in a particularly dangerous position, although it was situated on the road at an intersection.

It was agreed to provide a light on the pole in question. OVERHANGING TREES. The district engineer, N.Z. Railways Department, wrote in reply to the board’s complaint about the gum trees at the Hinuera railway station, and advised that as the trees were growing on the opposite side of the road to the board’s power lines there was ne fear of them fouling the wires. The request to have the trees cut down was therefore declined. TRADING BY BOARDS. The Prime Minister acknowledged receipt of the board’s letter stating that it understood a deputation from the Electrical Traders’ Federation, together with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, proposed waiting upon him to lodge a. protest against power boards being allowed to operate as provided for in section 90 of the Electric Power Boards Act, 1918. In reply the Prime Minister said that so far no request had been made to him to receive such a deputation, but he would be glad, nevertheless, to bear the board’s representations in mind for consideration at the proper time. GUARANTEE FOR FLAXMILL. ■> Mr G. Smerle, Kainere, advised that the maximum amount for power that could be guaranteed at. present was from £l5O to £.lBO, and that he expected to commence flax milling operations about August or September next, when it was hoped to mill at least one hundred tons of fibre from one plantation. The chairman said that the whole matter at present depended on the department’s additional supplies of electricity. It was agreed that the engineer should go further into the matter with the Kaihere settlers, with a view to ascertaining what could be done. The chairman thought that a limited supply could be given under certain restrictions. POWER FOR KAIHERE. A. P. Douslin, Kaihere, wrote expressing his regret that electricity would not be available at Kaihere this year and inquiring if the board could supply him with a second-hand engine for driving his milking pliant, which had been installed in anticipation ot electric power; The chairman said that .the location was on the Ngarua road near Smerle’s corner. The matter was being looked into. INSECTS IN POLES. The biological section of the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, acknowledged receipt of a grub that had been forwarded for identification and advised that it resembled very closely 'the New Zealand hu-hu. An endeavour would be made to rear the grub to the beetle stage for further investigation purposes, as it was considered possible that it might be of Australian origin. POWER FOR PATETONGA. Mr D. Hunter, Patetonga, wrote stating .that he was not prepared to sign up for electricity at Patetonga for flaxmilling purposes at the rate of £250 a year for five years. The power was badly required, but he was not prepared to sign such a huge guarantee, as the danger of fire, and risk

generally, to flaxmillers was too great. The matter was deferred for consideration pending a reply from the Public Works Department as to the points and Quantity of supply. QUOTATION FOR POLES. The secretary of the Fire Council, Paeroa. wrote asking for a quotation for eight poles, each 35ft in length, for the purpose of erecting towers on which to place its flrebells. Mr Flatt eaid the Fire Council had thought that the board would favourably consider the request, and he urged that the poles, on arrival t in New Zealand, should be supplied at cost price. Mr Grace supported Mr Flatt, and it was resolved to supply eight poles at cost price in view of the fact that the brigade was performing a valuable public service. TRADERS’ FEDERATION. The N.Z. Electrical Traders’ Federation wrote intimating .that it was the policy of the organisation to work in conjunction with the power boards

in an effort to increase the public demand for electric power. SPEED OF PULLEYS. Mr said he had received a complaint from a consumer on the Hopai road to the effect that iaiss milking motor was travelling at a mucn higher speed than indicated on the plate. As a result the grade of cream had been considerably lowered. Mr Willy asked if any adjustment to the transformer would remedy the defect. Mr McLeod, the engineer, replied tiiat it appeared to him that the pulley ratio was not quite correct, Motors could not, theoretically, travel at a faster rate than 1500 revolutions a mir.ute, and actually not more than 1450. The increased rate had nothing whatever to do with the transformers. It was a matter of pulley ratio adjustment. At the request of Mr Willy the engineer said he would look into the matter when he was in the district. TROUBLEMEN’S HOUSES. The finance committee agreed to accept the tender of Messrs 'Heathcote Bros, for the erection of troublemen’s cottages at Te Arolia and Paeroa, the prices being £733 for Te Arolia and £753 for Paeroa. ft was decided to again advertise tenders for the Tirau and Ngatea cottages, to close in time for consideration at the February meeting. Mr Strange moved that the resolution carried at the previous meeting that all the cottages be built of heart of totara be rescinded. Mr Willy seconded. The chairman remarked that if the members were unanimous there would be no need for a notice of motion. The motion was carried unanimously. COOKING CHARGES. The engineers’ recommcndatio’n in connection with the revised tariff for cooking purposes were adopted. WAIHI PLAINS CANVASS. Tt was resolved to make a canvass for consumers on .the Waihi Plains as early as possible. BALANCE-SHEET. Mr Flatt asked if it was possible to obtain a certified copy of the board’s balance-sheet yet. The chairman replied that the auditors were now working on it, and it would probably be three months before the balancessheet was available. Mr Flatt contended that it would be over ten months since the balance was taken, and the delay was “over the odds.”

The chairman said that the delay could not be avoided. Representations had been made to the Audit Department to have .the work expedited. The members had already been given a copy of the balance-sheet before audit, and that was all that could be done at present.