ELECTRIC POWER POLES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5296, 6 July 1928, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER POLES

SUITABILITY OF SPECIES. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS. At the conclusion of the monthly meeting of tlie Thames Valley Electric Power Board at Te Aroh.a on Tuesday the members: were guests of the chairman, Mr F. M. Strange, at luncheon at his; homestead, “Belle Vue Farm,” Mangaiti. The guests, who were conveyed to the homestead in motor-cars, were received by Miss F. Strange on arrival. Aftei' full justice had been done to

the delicious repast provided, the visitors were conducted round the spacious ajid well-kept grounds surrounding the residence. The unique collection of New Zealand trees and imported shrubs was inspected and much admired, as also were the lengthy rows of blue, violets fringing the paths, and the anemones and narcissuses which were out in full bloomPassing through the orchard, a number of lemon and orange trees, fully laden, were to be seen, vvhile several persimmon trees bearing ripe fruit were freely sampled. Later Mr Strange conducted the party to another portion of the farm, to where a plot has been set aside for the purpose of experimenting with the life of certain timbers; which are suitable for erection for, carrying electric power lines. The, area, some four square chains in extent, contains 103 poles, sawn in ends, tops, and centres, and placed in the ground at a uniform depth in regular rows. These poles, which were supplied by the Forestry Department, Rotorua, were placed in the ground on Mr Strhnge’s property three years and two months ago. For the purpose of inspection, the ba,se of the poles to a depth of about one foot was exposed. Each pole has been given a number and a designating mark, .and has bee,n accurately recorded, together with the name of the species of timber, on a plan which was carried and explained in detail by the board's engineer. All the 103 poles are of the Eucalypt variety, and were given various dressings before being placed in the ground. There are six varieties of Eucalypts altogether, and thirteen treatments were experimented with to ascertain which was the most suitable for. prolonging the life of the poles in the ground. The ground selected received no special treatment before the poles were sunk, and was considered to be an average of the land in which power poles are placed throughout the board’s territory. . Tlie examination on Tuesday resulted in valuable information being obtained which will be of the greatest value and assistance to the board in th© future. On present indications the poles, which are of the variety of eucalyptus known as Eugenioidtes, and which were treated with two coats of' a hot creosote compound, showed tlie best and soundest condition after being, in the ground for a period of three years. Other varieties which had been treated differently showed advanced decay in some instances, while in others the sap wood only had decayed, leaving sound hearts.

It is fortunate for the board, and an interesting fact, that the predominating variety' of eucalyptus already' planted on the board's property' at Waitakaruru is the Eugenioides, which on present indications as a result of the experiment should prove a valuable asset when, tlie trees reach maturity.

Before leaving the homestead Mr J. Price, on behalf of the visitor, thanked Mr and Mrs Strange for tneir bountiful hospitality and voiced appreciation. for the. interesting couple of hours spent on tlie property.