THAMES VALLEY POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5322, 5 September 1928, Page 2

THAMES VALLEY POWER.

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The Thames Vallef Electric Power Board met at Te Arqha yestqrday, Mr F. M. Strange presiding over Messrs H. M. Corbett, F. E. Flatt, G. Howie, J. Pqhlcn, W. J. McCormick, J. Price, J. W. Anderson, J. B. Thomas, C. A. Arthur, and the manager (Mr R. Sprague) and the engineer (Mr. N. G« McLeod). A welcome to Mr J. Pohlen on his return from England was extended by the chairman, who expressed the hope that hi-s; health had benefited by the trip. ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS. Arising out of the inspection of inr stallations at Ngatea, it ,was mentioned that several illegal extensions to lights had been made in the butter factory / bach. Mr Price was of the- ojpinion that a warning should be Issued. The lives of men were endangered by the inefficient work of men who were, not qualified wir.emen. The engineer said that the men were tenants of the dairy company, but the difficulty was to, find the, man who had interfered with the, installaiont. It wa.‘ -agreed to issue a warning, ini this case., but legal action would be taken in future cases. COST (OF PUMPING. Mr W. G. Hayward, op behalf of those interested, wrote requesting a reduction iji charges for electrically , driven pumps at and also that the hours during, which the pumps could be, operated at nfght be extended. He pointed out that if the charges were reduced mqre pumps; might be installed. s The manager said .that he had discussed the matter with Mr Hayward and had pointed out that no reduction could be, ma.de, but that it might be possible; to make an alteration in the times of supply. The matter was referred to the finance committee for a report. CONSUMERS’ LINES. The Waitakarur.u branch of the, N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrotq complaining that consumers’ lines had been tightened up and cross-arms replaced withqut them being consulted. As the had already paid for th© erection of the lin.es it was considered that any .alteration undertaken by the board without the, sa-nfetion of it'he consumer should be at the expenSfe of the board. The chairman said that a mistake. had been made in nqt notifying, the consumers that certain work was ; necessary on their lines to make them < safe. In this instance thq settlers had a good case. The wbrk was necessary and the board had tq do it. Mr Flatt wanted to know why the consiumers were not notified from the Te Aroha office,. The engineer said that usually the consumers were interviewed and advised wha.t the cost of the labour would be. Materials, were not charged for. It was decided to explain the position to the Waitakaruru farmers. TREE PLANTING. The enginieer. reported.. that the .State Forestry Department had supplied a quantity of trees for planting at Waitakaruru, but they had been used to replace the wantage in the aid plantation. COMMUNITY LIGHTING. The Morrinsv.'lle. Chamber of Cqminerce advised that the board’s terms for community lighting were plot acceptable to the business firms concerned. They were prepared to in-» stal the lights only onj the same basis as at Te Awa.mutu, Mr Flatt said that the matter had been before the board far. a long time, and it was evident that there was d*s- - in Morrinsville as well as in Paeroa. He therefore imqved that the Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce be. asked to send a deputation to discuss the matter with the board. Members expressed the opinion that the board should not invite a, deputation! but it would receive a deputation if one waited on it. It was decided that the board could not a,mend its charges, and that the Morrinsville representative should explain the matter to the chamber. GUARANTEE FOR SUPPLY. The recommendation of the finance committee that the board should a.dap,t the universal application of a five years? guarantee by consumers, on all future lines erected was adopted. FINANCE. Accqunts totalling £7227 were passed for payment.