ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4818, 4 March 1925, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. REGULAR MEETING AT.TE AROHA. The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held in Te Aroha yesterday, tne chairman (Mr F. H. Claxton) presiding over the following: Messit; F. Flatt, J. B. Thomas, W. E. G. Willy, J. Pohlen, G. Howie, F. M. Strange, J. Price, J. W,. McCormick, J. W. Anderson, C. A. Arthur, P. Grace, the sec-tary-manager (Mr R. Sprague), and the engineers (Messrs Gauvain anA McLeod). . ELECTRICAL STUDENTS.

The Chief Electrical Engineer wrote stating that it would appear that a great deal, of benefit might be obtained by some regular system of employing University graduates either on the staffs of the larger power boards or on the department’s own staff, and he thought that it might be possible to devise a scheme by which the cadets might be exchanged with those of a power board. The matter would be fully discussed with the Engineer-in-Chief, and a further reply would be forwarded. WALTON TELEPHONE.

The Telegraph Department wrote refusing an all-night connection for the foreman at Walton. The letter pointed out that arrangements could be made for Walton subscribers to be grouped to a resident in close proximity to the Walton post office, and he in turn could readily secure the attention of the troubleman at Matamata through the postmaster at Walton. At the Matamata end thq troubleman might be connected to the Walton circuit after the Matamata exchange closes.

“LAW, BUT NOT JUSTICE.” • A Smith, Tauhei, wrote acknowledging receipt of rate demand and stating that he had no intention of paying the rates. The line did not reach his boundary, and he did not require electric current. “The demand might.be law, but it is not justice. Do your wbnst, and to H with such,” he concluded. . It was resolved to advise the writer that ho was not liable for the rate. The Paeroa Chamber of Commerce wrote as follows: — "The subject of the non-consumers’

cate was brought up nt a recent meeting of this chamber, and it was de* cided to write to you protesting'against the levying of the £1 minimum rate on separate divisions occu- | pied as one holding, as this chamber considers such levying to be contrary to the spirit of section 4, and particularly sub-section 3 and 4, of ‘The Electric Power Boards Amendment Act, 1923.” The chairman said that the contention contained in the letter Was correct. DEFERRED PAYMENT. The Rising Sun Gold Mining Co.;Ltd., wrote requesting the board to hold over its demand for payment of the company’s accounts a little longer . .. AU the accounts would be liquidated in due course, when the company was reconstructed. s The chairman said that the due was over £2o6'. The company had" practically eloped down. Mr Flatt said there appeared to be genuine reasons for deferring payment. On the motion of Mr Grace, second--'-ed by Mr Flatt, payment of the ac : , count was deferred for one month to give the company an opportunity to rec-nnstruct. STREET LIGHTS. The Hauraki Plains County Council wrote stating that it had decided to Instal two lights in each of the townships of Waitakaruru. Pipiroa, and Nelherton, and also maintain the - two existing lights in the townships of Ngatea and Kerepeehi. The board was asked to arrange for one of its " men to call and explain the matter.— Referred to the engineer. ’ INFORMATION SOUGHT. The Matamata. Chamber of Commerce wrote asking for full particular- of the non-cohsumens’ rate now being charged, and a,15.0 requesting! that particulars be advertised in local papers. It was resolved to supply the in-, formation. TROUBLEMEN’S COTTAGES. Mr F. W. Furkert, Engineer-in-Ciief, telegraphed that the Minister had approved of the erection of dwell- ; s s ings on two properties already pur-, chased by the board and the purchase of three properties for the erection of other dwellings. . PIPIROA CABLE. Mr Willy asked what the position ? was in regard to the cable at Pipiroa. In reply, Mr McLeod said that the cal le would be installed at an early date. FINANCE. The special finance committee ieported as follows;— “We recommend that the chairman’s action in remitting tne £10,500’ through the N.Z. Mines Trust be endorsed. "We recommend that the sum ot £1315 be paid to the engineers, Messrs Giiuvain and McLeod, in termination at March 31, 1925, of their agreement with the board. . ••\Ve recommned that Mr Gauyain be appointed consulting engineer fiy the board at a retaining fee of fifty guineas per annum, commencing on April 1, 1925.” Mr Willy said he did not think the cla-ise relating to the termination ot Mersrs Gauvain and McLeod’s services was well written, and he thought it could be improved upon. In five years’ time the matter would be difficult to undenstand. After a brief discussion the matter wtK- referred back to the finance com- . m’ttee for fuller details. . Mr Strange said that the works outlined by the board at the outset had practically been completed, and the plans and specifications submitted by ” Me-srs Gauvain and McLeod had been, successfully carried out. Mr eulogi-sed the services rendered to the board by the engineers, and said that much of the success attained by the biup’d was due to the skill, knowledge, and tact of its engineers. Mr Flatt supported the previous speaker’s remarks, saying that the board members had obtained their knowledge from their engineers- ? which was a very high tribute to tho engineers’ capabilities. It was regretted that the board had come to the parting of the ways, and he concluded by wishing Messrs Gauvain and McLeod every success and prosperity in the future. The chairman supported the remarks, and said that one special fea- - ture he wished to emphasise was. the way the engineers had reduced their technical propositions into a language which the board could understand. It was worthy of record that the original board’s scheme was almost completed, and that actually more 11,000-volt line mileage had been constructed, yet at the same time the mileage of the lower voltage lines had been slightly reduced. The board wajs quite in the dark in regard to the capabilities of ; the engineers in the early days, but both had proved their ability- and worth: The chairman suggested that a so--cial evening should be tendered the engineers at the conclusion of the April meeting. Several other members spoke tn. eulogistic terms of the engineers. Mr Gauvain briefly replied, thanx-.. ing the members'for their of goodwill. He stated that any success achieved was due in no small measure to the help and co-operation of Messrs Strange, Claxton, Sprague* , and the clerical staff. The speaker paid special tribute to Mr Strange for, the work he had done in the early days of the board’s existence. Mr G-nivain -said that the board was extreine.ly fortunate in having the services of a man of Mr Claxton’s calibre, who, he said, had a wonderful knowledge of power board economics. Mr McLeod also thanked the meeting, and stated that it would be his constant endeavour at all timep t« give cmly the best and most skilled services to the board while holding th" position of its electrical engineer, ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £4807 13s Id on", the power fund account and £4066 5s 5d on the loan account were passed for payment.