ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5009, 4 August 1926, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held at Te Aroha yesterday, the chairman (Mr F. M. Strange) presiding over the following: Messrs H, M. Corbetb, W, E, G, Willy, G, Howie, J, Pohlen, J. McCormick, J. Price, J, B, Thomas, C, A, Arthur, and- the manager (Mr R. Sprague) and the chief engineer (Mr N, G, McLeod). AFFORESTATION AREA. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, wrote advising that authority had been given the board to purchase section 29, Block VII., near Waitakaruru, for the sum Of £4OO. “BUY BRITISH GOODS.” H.M, Trade Commissiojner, Wellington, wrote expressing gratification that the board had let its contract for the supply of transformers, to a British firm. LOAN OF £150,000. The Bank of New Zealand advised that it could place the whole of the £150',000 for a term of 36% years at a rate of interest of 5 3 4 per cent., with a sinking fund of 1 per cent., payment to be made in instalments of £5OOO a month, commencing on January 1 next, or earlier iY practicable. Alternatively, the loan could be placed under a table mortgage with a currency of 36% years; from the date o'f the first draw, for which there would be 73 debentures for £4935 17s 5d each, combining principa and interest, one redeemable each half-year, which' would be equivalent to providing a sinking fund of 16-8 d per cent, if a flat loan wae decided upon the annual charge for interest and sinktag fund would be £10,125, whereas under the table mortgage the annual payments would amount to £9871 14s lOd. -The table mortgage appeared to be the better proposition, and the debentures would be prepared by the lender’s solicitors- at the board’s expense.

The matter was' referred to the chairman and manager.

INFORMATION SOUGHT.

The Kaponga Town Boaj’d wrote asking to be supplied with the; board's rates for electricity, especially in gard to milking motors. The manager was- instructed to supply the information. LOAN MONEY. s Two firms of financial brokers! at Wellington wrote offering to place the board’s loan of £150,000, or any other financial assistance that might be required. POWER STOPPAGE. The Ngatea Hall Society wrote drawing attention to the failure of the electric light, and the serious, inconvenience and loss of revenue caused to the society. It was pointed out that the stoppage occurred pin a picture night, and the society wished to know what compensation the, board was prepared to pay. The chajrman said that a reply had been forwarded to the effect that the board could not recognise any claim Ibr compensation in regard to loss of revenue, through power s.upply fail»ure. The stoppage referred to was quite outside the board’s powers to prevent, and the te.rms and conditions of supply, clause 17, covered the failures- such as had occurred. The board’s policy was to! maintain, as continuous, and efficient a service as was possible. ■ The reply was confirmed. PI AKO ROAD CULVERT. The Ham ?ki Drainage Board wiote consenting to the Power Board putting a culvert’across the Pi aka Roau drain, the work to be done to the Drainage Board’s satisfaction and the Power Board to take full responsibility in connection with damage done to the drain or road during the carrying out of the work of installing the culvert and indemnify the Drain-’ age Board against the cost of any damage that might occur. It wa,s decided to 1 proceed with the work and to agree to the conditions. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £11,934 <Ai the. power fund and £5338 19s- Sd on the loan 'fund were passed for payment. Receipts for the month showed lighting, heating, and power to be £3290 17s,- sales and wiring £4490' 10s 9d, flat rate consumers £9653 13s 9d, which with sundries totalled £43,812 Is 7d. The expenditure was: Salaries £1179 19s sd, power purchases £6589 6s Id, rents and rates £l's2 12s Bd, stock, etc., £l3ll 4s 2d, making n debit balance of £26,004 8s 7d. SHIPMENT OF POLES. The board’s agent at Newcastle, New South Wales, advised that the barque Louis Theriault loaded about 700 poles- at Port Stephens, together with 5000 ft of sawn timber, and was to finish off her cargo at with about 300 poles which wereready on a ste,a,m lighter, but unfortunately, three hours after her arrival the vessel caught fire and was considerably damaged. Until, an examination was made it was not possible to say whether the barque would be able to proceed to New Zealand. The chairman said that he understood the crude oil used for the vessel’s Diesal engine had caught Are and caused the damage. Poles in the meantime were being shipped to Auckland by steamers' as reauired. STOVES IN SCHOOLS. The Auckland Education Board advised that it ha,d authorised the installation of electric stoves at the centres in the Thames Valley at the increased cosit of installation. The chairman said that the cost of s,toves had since been increased, and it was- gratifying to see that the Education Board was prepared to* meet the board.