ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5412, 17 April 1929, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER.

THE THAMES VALLEY BOARD. ORDINARY MEETING. At the ordinary meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board held at Te Aroha on Friday Mr F. M. Strange (chairman) presided over the following : Messrs C. A. Arthur, H. M. Corbett, F. E. Flatt, J. Howie, J. Pohlen, J. Price, J. B. Thomas, W. E. G. Willy, R. Sprague (manager), and N. G. McLeod (engineer). Sinking Fund Charges. The District Public Trustee, Hamilton, advised that the interest on sinking fund charges would for the present be 51 per cent. Kerepeehi Feed Point. A form of agreement covering the Kerepeehi feed point was forwarded by the Public Works Department, Hamilton, for comment and signature. This agreement differed somewhat from former ones. The mattei' was referred to the engineer for a report at the next meeting. Putaruru Town District. A letter from Mr F. W. Furkurt, chief engineer, Public Works Department, stated that the Matamata County Council had asked whether provision was being made by the board for the representation on it of the Putaruru Town District. It was apparently necessary in terms of section 10 of the Power Boards Act, 1925, for the town board to have separate representation or to be combined with another district. The board’s opinion on the course to be followed was asked.

Mr Sprague, in stating that the Putaruru town district had no representative on either the Power' Board of the Hospital Board, suggested it should come in as a combined district. The only solution was for Putaruru to join Matamata County, as the Matamata and Putaruru town districts could not agree. Mr Price maintained that all steps should be taken, if possible, so that Putaruru would not be disfranchised. It was left with the manager to take such steps as he could to have the position rectified, if possible before the forthcoming elections. Insurance Claim Paid. Notification was received from an insurance company stating that a final settlement had been reached in connection with the claim of Mr T. Cotter, the total payments amounting to £268 16s. This claim arose from an accident that befell an employee of the board through which he had several sinews cut. Hauraki Plains Street Lights. The Hauraki Plains County Council announced that it had decided to instal additional street lights in various parts of the county, and that the county engineer would confer with the board on the matter. Consenting to Installations. The Minister of Finance wrote stating he had found on inquiry that the board’s complaint that it was difficult to obtain the consent of the Lands Department and the State Advances Department, as mortgagee, for installation of power and light, did not apply in the latter case. On the same subject a letter from the Minister of Lands intimated that the quesiton of obtaining the consent of the Lands Department, as mortgagee, to applications for the installation of powei - and lighting in the district had received careful consideration. The matter was one for the judgment of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The manager said that the board had made four appeals, and evidently the subject was receiving consideration now. Wharf at Paeroa. The Marine Department wrote requesting a plan of the wharf it was proposed to erect at Paeroa. Car Accident to Employee. A lengthy report was received from Mr W. J. Rogers, troubleman to the board, explaining an accident on the Hauraki Plains to the car he was driving on account of a collision with another automobile on March 9. The manager said he understood that the insurance company concerned had paid up, and contemplated prosecuting the other car driver. If he was also insured there would be no case. Refusal to Supply Power. A letter was received from Mr H. H. Sutton, of Waihi, acknowledging the board’s information that it could not supply him with power. In his opinion it was apparent that the board had “taken the eyes out of the district,” and it would be most difficult for those off the main beat to obtain power. In all probability it meant that he would have to supply his own power. The chairman remarked that the board could only put a line in where it paid. If a place would pay, the board would run there. Mr Flatt added that the area in question certainly did not pay.

Lighting at Waihi Beach. Mr J. Trewin, of Cambridge, the owner of a cottage at Waihi Beach, wrote urging the advisability of allowing the Tauranga board to supply Waihi Beach with electricity. He informed the board the result of a canvass by the Tauranga Board, which was that seven permanent residents and 14 others with cottages there had agreed to take power. The Tauranga Board, in his opinion, could supply electricity to the beach at less cost than the Thames Valley Board. Having the Tauranga Board’s terms, they would also like to have those of the Thames Valley Board. It was decided to inform the writer that the board had the matter under consideration. Power on Waihi Plains. A letter expressing appreciation of the energy displayed by the board in providing electricity for the Waihi Plains was received from Mr W. E. Busch, of Waihi. The writer stated he was sure that a great many more prospective consumers would come in. With reference to the latter remark, the engineer intimated that a start would be made to supply these as soon as poles were received. Interior Installation. Mr Jesse Ward, Waihi, wrote asking for power to be installed for his shed, and lighting to his house, as arranged with Mr Fyfe. A local electrician had informed him that the board only undertook outside installations, leaving inside work to local men. Upon inquiry he had learned that the board would do all the work. It was decided to write informing Mr Ward and others that the board undertook the whole installation. MANAGER’S report. The manager, Mr R. Sprague, presented his report as follows . “Copper.—Owing to the price, o copper, rising to practically double, within the past fe.w weeks, I have withheld purchases until the costs return to normal. We have fairly good stofcks of copper arriving, and in hand, and do not anticipate any inconvenience through .not ordering. It may be nec.csary to purchase small lots while awaiting delivery. "Accidents. —Two accidients to the board’s trucks occurred! at Tirau and Tuma respectively. Th.e Tirau truck wad completely destroyed by the train, and the Turua. truck is now in commission. Both cars were; covered by insurance. “Stock-taking.—Stock-taking is now completed', and considerable reductions have beep shown in bpith power and loan .stocks. “Ngatea Cable.—Messrs. McCallum Eros’, scow, which was capsized at Ngatea, fouled the board’s cable and dragged same out of its trench in the river. It is difficult to estimate the damage, without the services of a diver, which has now been arranged for. “Consumers.—The total number of consumers connected to the board s. mains now totals 6925, which includes the Thames and; Tq Aroha boroughs. Thames consumers total 1074. and the Te Aroha borougjl 640. Twenty-eight, lighting and heating consumers, 17 water-hfjaters, 5 electric rang.es, and 8 motors on farms, of which two arc 2-h.p milking motors, were connected during the month. Therq arc now connected and operating 1686 waterheaters, 289 electric ranges 2146 motors on farms, of which 1793 are 2-h.p. milking motors. In additibn 32 consumers had lighting and! heating, extensions made during the mpinth, a*d two 3-li.p., one 2-h.p., one %-h.p., and one 14-h-P. motors w<We connected on meteir rates.”