POWER BOARD AFFAIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5098, 9 March 1927, Page 2

POWER BOARD AFFAIRS.

RECENT CONFERENCE RESULTS.

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED.

During last month a conference of managers and secretaries of electric power boards was held at Palmerston North, and many matters affecting tlie administration of boards and the distribution of electricity were discussed.

Mr. R. Sprague attended on behalf ef the Thames Valley Power Board, together with 36 representatives of other boards, in addition to Messrs FT. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer Public Works Department, M. Fraser, Government Statistician, and ToOgood, of the Engineer’s Association. In his report on the work of the conference, to which Mr Sprague referred at the last meeting of the board at Te Aroha, he stated that the conference had recommended that an electrical development society should be constituted by the Government supply authorities and the electrical traders for the purpose of organising and developing a national electricity campaign. It was proposed to expend a sum not exceeding £20,000, covering a period of three years, the collecti on of same to be allocated as follows : Government, two-fifths ; supply aiithorit'Oi two-fi'ftihs; electrical tiaders, one-fifth. The method of levying w’uld be one-half per cent, on the revenue of each supply authority, and the amounts would vary from £5 to £175 per annum.

It was further proposed to institute a trade-mark on the principle o’f the red seal system, which was operating in Canada. The idea was that when any installation was completed it would be branded with the trademark operating, so that the consumer could be safeguarded and satisfied that he could use the installation with safety as far as purchasing additional appliances, such .as grills, ovens, etc. That meant the creation of a standard in the size of cables and other materials .which would be used at installation, and at, .any time additional appliances could be put on the installation without interference with he existing supply. METER-TESTING CHARGES. New regulations provided for a charge of 10s being made if a meter is found to be correct, and if incorrect no charge would be made, and t.he account 'for electricity would be adjusted for one month. If the consumer was not satisfied with the Power Board’s testing he would have the option of applying to the Public Works Department as arbitrator, in which case the consumer would phy all charges.