ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4850, 8 July 1925, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THE THAMES VALLEY BOARD. meeting at te aroha. • The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held at Te Aroha yesterday, the chairman (Mr E. H. Claxton) presiding over the following: Messrs P. Grace, F. E, Flatt, W. E. G. Willy, G. Howie, J. Pohlen, J. W. Anderson, J. B. Thomas, F. M. Strange. C. A. Arthur, the' manager .(Mr R. Sprague), and tlie engineer (Mr N. G. McLeod). ACCIDENT INSURANCE. Several life and accident insurance companies wrote soliciting the board’s business for tlie ensuing twelve montsh. It was decided to place the business with the Eagle, Star, British, and Dominions Insurance Company for a further term, NON-CONSUMERS’ RATE. The Engiueer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, wrote enclosing a copy ofl a letter received from R. H. Bailey, Tir.au, relating to the supply of electrical energy. The department pointed out that Mr Bailey complained .that the annual charge for the supply would be £2l, whereas the standard rates were £lO 4s; and, further, that the owner should not.be liable to pay a non-conisumers’ rate unless the board was prepared to supply energy at standard rates. The board had various rating powers under the Act, namely: (1) A uniform rate over the whole of its district; (2) separate rate or rates over portion or portions of its district; and (3) the rate usually known as the non-consumers’ rate, which was a'separate rate that might be levied within any defined portion or portions of the diistritc. No doubt if the board was of the opinion that the non-consumers’ rate would work a hardship in any particular case it would not include that portion in the area subject to the rate. The lettei asked for the board’s comments on Mr- Bailey’s letter for the information of the Minister.

_ The manager read a lengthy reply sent to tlie department in which it was stated that Mr Bailey could hardly make a claim under the hardship clause, as often consumers had paid for lines sometimes a mile in lengtn. Mr Anderson said that the manager's report covered the position fully, and was correct in every detail. Mr Bailey had made out a good case, but he was the sort of man who would go to any length to attain his end. L POWER CHARGES. - The Rising Sun Gold Mining Co: wrote accepting the terms of payment of its account on the basis of £2OO cash and not less than £lOO for- current supplied. In a further communicatoin the company requested to be supplied with 10-h.p. occasionally, and with lights in the battery during the winter months. It was pointed out that during the course of treatment of ore it was sometimes necessary to keep the agitator-going during prohibited hours, but wouid probably not take more than 5-h.p. There were also a number of high tension insulators, switch.es, and lightning arresters at the mine, which the ocmpany, was prepared to dispose of. Mr Flatt said it appeared to him that if the request was granted the company would git into the . same state , with the board as it was previous to the new arrangement. z The chairman replied that the position was being closely watched. TOWN BOARD LIGHTS. . The Tuma Town Board wrote ask,ing the board to reduce the number or lights in the town area from 15 to 9, the lights to be taken away being those outside the actual township block. It might be possible to reinstal those lights if sufficient public subscriptions came forwards in advance. The letter also complained of the switches being out of order, the lights frequently coming on in the daytime and not at night, and sometimes not at all. "They cannot be taken out at the local body’s sweet will,” said, the chairman. He added that there must be a five years’ guarantee when lights were installed. Mr Flatt said that so far as the switch was concerned Paeroa was in much the same position. The lights appeared to go off and on at irregular intervals. The engineer said that a new British s,witch had been installed at Turua, and was, he believed, working satisfactorily. The Town Board, in his opinion, had greatly exaggerated the position. POWER FOR FLAXMILL. Mr G. Smerle, Kaihere, wrote advising that he was prepared to take two motors for his flaxmill, and requested that the board’s engineer meet him and discuss the matter oi lights and what make of motors would be most suitable for his work. The chairman stated that the engineer had lately interview Mr Smerle and a satisfactory arrangement had been entered into. BOROUGH POWER PLANT. The Te Aroha Borough Council advised that it had no intention of selling its electrical plant, and therefore declined to fix a price lor, same. It .was decided to defer discussion of the matter until the August meeting. FINANCIAL REPORT. The special finance committee’s report recommended' that an audit check clerk be apponited at a salary of £3OO a year - , and that such appointment be left with the chairman to arrange with' the Audit Office. It was also, recommended that in order to secure protection for payment of installation accounts the land be attached,, aind that the manager be authorised to forward a notice where installation remained unpaid for at the expiration of two and a half yeats from the date of installation. The report was adopted. MOTION LAPSES. Discussing the remits to come up for consideration at the annual meeting of the Power Boards’ Association