ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5269, 2 May 1928, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. ’ MONTHLY MEETING. T,he monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board wasi held at Te Aroha yesterday, t'he chairman (Mr F. M. Strange) presiding over the following: Messrs H. M. Corbett, F. E. Flatt, G. Howie, J. W. McCormick, J. Price, J. W. Anderson, J. B. Thomas, C. A. Arthur, N. G. McLeod (engineer), and R. Sprague (manager!). DAIRY COMPANY SUPPLY. The electrical engineer, N.Z. Cooperaive- Dairy Co., Ltd., wrote with reference to the proposed rate for electric pow.er, supply based on .445(1 per unit, and the running of the company’s power plant 'twice a day when necessary for a maximum of two hours a rum He advised that the rate wah accepted provided the cost was not greater dhan that of last year ; also that the Arapuni supply would be available at a rate commensurate with the cost of tire company’s own : improved plant. The company contended that the cost of the board’s supply, together with t'liat of the company’s plants, should not exceed .445 d a unit, which had been the cost at Waitoa last year. The cost under tire proposed rate would? be .51d a unit, and the difference should be covered by subsidy to tlie company. On. t : he motion of the chairman it was resolved that it be a reconr . mendation to have a conference at Hamilton for the purpose of discussing the three-party agreement. COMMUNITY LIGHTING. The Chamber of Commerce stated that it had been resolved that if the board! would agree to the charges being similar to those at Te Awatumu community lighting would be adopted at Morrinsville. The engineer said that the cham-t bei; would have to pay £3 a lamp year.. Notice of motion was. given by Mr Price that' a former resolution on the books be rescinded, and that the question of community lighting be considered at next meeting.. ELECTRICITY V. BENZINE. A Tirau fartner, wrote as follows : “I would like to mention! t’hat I am one of many consumers who do not approve of the method of signing an authority on a butter-fat basis. Take this year for an example. In January we experienced a grle.at deal of inconvenience in loss of electric power, as we were cut off so much during the milking hours, and in my case I: used the benzine engine night and morning off and on the whole period', which meant that I pay the Power Board for butter-fat supplied to the factory which, during that period, was .run on power from my engine ; otherwise, I pay for electric power and? benzine- ■ This I consider is an unfair proposition.. Is there any allowance on benzine used during that period ? If not, I think the time is ripe when all. farmers, should be on the meter system or else back to t!lie benzine engine again, which far cheaper to run.” - . The chairman said that the position was exaggerated. ’Rhe board itself paid only for, the power received; The engineer said- that the interruptions were very annoying, but they were beyond the control of the boardIt was decided to 'advise the writer accordingly. POWER FOR COROMANDEL’. A request from the owner of : a metal quar.ry at Coromandel, near Cape Colville, for a supply of electricity to work his:, plant was; held ove.r until such time as the chairman and manager could inspect the district for. the purpose of ascertaining the prospectss'of extending the board’s activities in that area. REMOVAL OF LINE, The Lands Drainage Department, Kerepeehi, wrote advising thait it was agreeatolte to paying .£7O tow.ards the cost of moving the power line'' on the Puhanga Canal road. . FINANCE.. The manager reported that the following were the receipts for tlie month : Lighting, heating, and power, £1843 ; sales and wiring, £274?; flat rate, £12,598 ; and sundries, tot alling £18,936. ;

The expenditure included: Sinking fund', £5230 ; insurance, £241 ; sjpecial sinking fund, £135 ; debenture- -holders’ interest due, £135; wages, ;iEBI3 ; salaries, £796; power puijjh ases, £B2lB ; stock, £627. The debit balance in tlie power fund was Shown! a 8 £18.598. Accounts amounting to £17,862 19 s 3d on the,power,fund and- £2956 5s 1* d on the loan fund were, passed for payn ' ment. I