HOROWHENUA HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2483, 21 September 1922, Page 2

HOROWHENUA HYDRO-ELEC-TRIC POWER BOARD.

ALLOCATION OF POWER.

At Monday’s meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board, ’the Minister of Public "Works wrote stating that- “the ultimate allocation to the Horowhenua Board when Waikaremoana was developed is 2,300 h.p. But from Mangahao alone it is estimated that only 1,200 h.p. will be available, and it is anticipated that the Board will have difficulty in disposing of even this amount within the first three or four years. I will be glad of your assurance that the Board is likely to be able to take this amount within, say, three years of supply.”

The Chairman said it was a question for the Board to say whether it was satisfied with that allocation. The Board was in the position of not knowing exactly what it would require. The Engineer said they could give the assurance asked for that the Board would within the first three or four years use its allocation. The Chairman said 1200 h.p. in the hands of a man who understood its possibilities could be made a good deal of. The point was that to be successful, the Board must use up 1,200 h.p. within the first three vears.

Mr Seifert said it seemed to him that they would use that amount if the flax industry did not give out. At certain hours the mills would take 800 horse-power, and this would not leave a great deal for other purposes.

Replying to a-question, the Engineer said the dairy industry would absorb about 300 h.p. apart from the factories.

It was decided to give the Minister the assurance asked for. The chairman, secretary and engineer were appointed delegates to the conference of Boards, to be held in Wellington. ENGINEER'S REPOKT.

The Engineer reported as fol lows:—-

Plan of Main Scheme. —During the pa-t month I have investigated and considered the main lay out for the district, and now place the plan before you for approval. Details have to be drawn for different localities and boroughs; tbest;, however, will only be* a substantial development of the principal set forth. At the present time I have these details in progress.

Allotment of Power. —During the month the chairman and . myself visited Wellington to discuss the matter of power allotted to this district. and the reason why same was reduced. We were informed by the Chief Electrical Engineer that all allotments have been re-arranged, and that we would get:—

(a) From Mangahao 1,200 h.p. lip(b) From Waikaremoana 1,100 h.p.

The two allotments make up the original amount promised by the Government to this district. In conversation with Mr Coates, the subject of telephone connection lines through this power area was also touched upon, and we received a definite assurance from him that the Telegraph Department would in all eases where their lines cross and re-crossed on roads, change over one side of the road only at their own expense, thus leaving the other side of the road clear for power lines. Tenders for Supply of Material. —The first matter to lie considered in this connection is the purchase of poles, cross-arms and hardware. Tod much attention, cannot he given to the selection and care in the pole contract, as bad poles make dangerous overhead lines, cause stoppages in power supply, and may in years to come ruin payable propositions by their short life. The matter is of such importance that I consider that representatives of this Boat’d should be given the greatest facilities to inquire into: (a) The forest from which the poles arc to be taken; (b) the time of the year most adaptable to felling: («•) the method of inspection by the Mew South Wales Forestry Department: (d) the arrangements for shipment from Australia: (e) the possibility of direct shipment to Foxton; (f) best varieties of ironbark; (g) other hardwoods that may be usable for our purpose. The magnitude of the first portion of the contract, said the Engineer, warrants such inquiries being made, and although cognisant of the travelling expenses entailed, I would recommend that the same he carried out without delay as a most economical proposition.

Cross-arms. —This is a contract which will be let at the same time as the one for poles. Line Hardware. —This item eon-' ,-ists of braces, bolts and coach-, screws. Indent orders could be placed for all this material, and payments arranged against documents in London.

The Engineer’s report was adopted, tenders to be called for poles and cross-aims immediately, and the Board to send representatives to Australia to inspect polls it' necessary.