THAMES VALLEY POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5131, 27 May 1927, Page 2

THAMES VALLEY POWER.

MONTHLY BOARD 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 Messrs F. E. Flatt, W. E. G. Willy, G. Howie. J. Pohlen, J. W. McCormick, J. Price, H. R. Bush, C. A. Arthur, J. W. Anderson, H. M. Corbett, R. Sprague (manager), and G. P. Lindsay (assistant engineer). STATISTICS REQUIRED. The electrical engineer of the Public Works Department wrote asking for figures to be- supplied to March 31 last showing the board’s connected load in kilowatts, miles of transmission line erected, number of transformers erected, number of milking machine motors, and also the number of milking .machines in the board’s area. —Referred to the engineer and the manager to supply the information. STREET LIGHTING. The district traffic manager of the N.Z. Railways wortc advising that the Piako County Council was prepared to pay 'bne-half of the yealrly maintenance charges on t,wo street lights to be erected fronting the railway cottages at Morrinsville. TELEPHONE WIRES. The district telegraph engineer, in reply to the board’s inquiry wrote advising that permission would not be granted to replace telephone lines on poles carrying 11,000-volt power lines. —Referred to engineer. CROSSING AT KEREPEEHI. The. district telegraph engineer advised that the crossing at Kerepcehi was approved so long as guardhooks were attached to the power pole so that the danger of a wire slipping off would be minimised, and, if necessary, the poles should be stayed. It was also to be noted that the crossing was a temporary one only. BOROUGH REPRESENTATIVE. The Morrinsville Borough Council wrote advising the reappointment of Mr G. Howie as the borough’s representative on the board. A request was made that when nominations were required for the boa.rd a reminder be sent to the constituent local bodies concerned.

Mr Willy said that it was one of the weaknesses in tlie Act that no one- was actually responsible to notify local bodies of impending elections.

The manager stated that he had made it a practice to notify all local bodies concerned within the board’s area.

POWER FOR PATETONGA,

Letters were received from five settlers in the Patetonga district objecting to being expected to pay substantial deposits for the installation and supply of power when there was little- likelihood of power being available for some months ahead. An indication was given that they did not wish to go back on their guarantees to take power, but they could pot see the force of allowing the board to use their cheques paid as deposits when the supply of power was so far distant. It wsa decided to advise the settlers concerned that the work was to be gone on with as soon as opportunity offered. To Mr Flatt the chairman said that the settlers had not withdrawn from the undertaking to take- power but simplj’ objected to the- board holding the cheques indefinitely. However, the line would be completed and the power available by the spring. The material was laid out on the route, but another line was being pursued first which was payable. POWER FOR GOLD MINE. The Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Ltd., wrote acknowledging the board’s letter advising that a 200 h-p. supply could be- given from the extension of the Hikutaia transmission line. The approved bond for £lOOO to permit of the agreement being completed would be forwarded, and the compa.ny hoped the board would proceed with the- work of giving supplj' as early as possible. Mt Flatt said that a definite time should have been stated. The power shortage was increasing, and the company had delayed the matter for nearly six months. The chairman said that a conference was pending between the Government and the power boards with regard to power supplies.

Mr Flatt said that while- promising a supply of power to the company, there was a chance of some other concern being cut out while the supply was limited. It was resolved that the company be advised that unless he bond was forthcoming within one months a fresh application would be asked for. A POSTPONEMENT SOUGHT. A settler on the Mangawhero road, Kaihere, wrote advising that as his property was under Government removal he required the board to refrain from proceeding with the installation of power in the meantime. The request was granted.