HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2513, 2 December 1922, Page 1

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The regular meeting of! the Horowlieuua. Power Board was held at Levin on Tuesday, and was attended by Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), A. McKay, A. A. Brown, \V. Barber, C. Kilsby, D. \V. Matheson, K. D. Whibley and W". 11. Gunning. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr \Y. R. Blow, New Zealand Government Agent in Sydney, reported re calling tenders for hardwood required by the Board, the expenses of his otliee in collection with same being £1 13/-. The State Advances Otliee stated that authority had been given prescribing the term for which £BO,000 of the reticulation loan of £2OO- - may be borrowed. A term of 20 years had been agreed to. —Received. The Manawatu County Council agreed to the Board erecting poles in that district provided the position of the poles were approved by the County Engineer. —-Received. Mr Monk was re-elected chairman for tile ensuing year. Mr A. A. Brown .-aid it had been intended to secure land in ditlcrcnt places in the Board's district. Had anything been done yet? The chairman said Mr Overton had been away, but would no doubt report at next meeting. Replying' to another question, Mr Overton said lie expected the poles te begin to come forward in January in quantities of about 500 a month. Mr \Y. Barber: What about a motor lorry? It is about time we were getting one. The engineer said he would call tenders for motor equipment. A motor and trailer would he necessary. Mr Barber: Where will the engineer start with the lines ! Mr Overton: From Shannon to Eoxton and Shannon to Levin. The route is already pegged out. Mr Barber asked if the cost per pole had been worked out on the purchases made as a result ot the engineer’s visit to Australia. Mr Overton: About £2 per pole. Mr Barber: Very good. A wonderful purchase. The chairman: You have to take their inspection in Australia.’ Mr Overton: Oh no; we retain the right of inspection here under a clause in the agreement.

The report of the engineer (Mr Overton) on his recent visit to Australia was received with a recommendation for the acceptance of tenders for tlie poles to carry out the reticulation of the Board’s district. The purchases involve an expenditure of approximately £12,130 17/0. After carefully reviewing notes, and negotiating further with different tenderers, we decided to accept tenders as follows: - Contract No. 1. —10 poles of 4011 at 8/0 each, £4l 5/-; 000 35ft at 59/-. £1,770; 750 35ft at 53/-, £l,987 10/-; 750 33ft at 48/3, £1.809 7/0; 500 30ft at 38/-, £950; 250 28ft at 31/0, £393 15/-; 350 24ft at 19/-, £332 10/-.

In lhe last two lots 10 per cent, grev gum is allowed. The total cost of the contract is £7,284 7/0. Contract No. 2.—200 35ft at 02/- each, £020; 25 f 3514 at 50/0. £O3l 5/-; 350 33ft at 42/0. £748 2/0; 500 30ft at 42/9, £‘l,ooß 1»/(dressed); 250 28ft at 32/9, £409 7/0; 150 24 ft at 20/-, £150; total £3,027 10/-. The contracts are c.i.f. and e., Wellington. Alsu m same contract, 50,000 ft at 49/- per 100 ft, i'.o.r.. Levin, £1,225. The total purchases amount to £12,130 17/0.

Il will lyj observed thal the re(onunendation is to divide pole Contract No. 1 between two tenderers, chiefly on account of the better prices in certain sizes with respect to the quality of the trees in the forests, and secondly to ensure good delivery, live hundred scraped poles have been substituted for natural rough poles. These will be used in main streets in towns. Foxlon Harbour: After making exhaustive inquiries we were unable lo get ships direct to Foxton, a matter to he regretted. General: Before reuruiug to New Zealand we had further interviews with the State Forestry Inspectors regarding methods of inspection, identification of brands, etc. Ac also called on the State telegraph engineers and the engineers of the Sydney City Council. All of these gentlemen discussed hardwoods foi poles very freely, and gave us an} information which they possessed. \Vje would also like to record our appreciation of the capable maiinei in which advice and practical experiences were given us while amongst the bushmeu and timbei ex porters, all of whom we have verbally thanked on behalf of the Board. TENDERS ACCEPTED. A The successful tenderers were:—

No. 1 Contract, —Samuel Brown, Ltd., Wellington (representing Flannery 8r05.., Boornl). No. 2 Contract, —A. C. Brown, Newcastle, N.S.W. In moving the adoption of the report and acceptance of the tenders, the chairman (Air G. A. Monk) said the Board was in the hands of the gentlemen who were making the recommendations. The prices, according to Mr Overton, wore lower than he actually expected, which would make the cost of reticulation less. The Board was quite justified in its action in sending Mr Overton across to Aulralia, and it was fortunate also, that Mr Seifert was there to give some assistance. He thought it wise that the report re-

commended the use of grey gums on the advice of Australian experts. It would be useful to note how these poles stood and try them out thoroughly. Tt would be seen, too, that it was recommended that dressed poles should be used in boroughs, which was a good idea. Mr Overton had staled that the poles recommended were from the class of coiuitrv providing the hardest pedes. The motion was seconded by Mr 1). W. Matheson, who said the boroughs would appreciate the suggestion of dressed poles for those centres. Mr W. Burlier agreed with the report, and said additional inquiries should he made re landing the poles nl Eoxton. He understood the Government intended to land poles I here. Mr Overton stated the port of landing had been mentioned with (lie liardwood merchants in Australia. They were suspicious of ports like Eoxton with lighter drafts oi water Ilian I.2ft or 13fl. Mr Brown of Newcastle, however, promised to go flirt her .into the matter, but he (Mr Overton) did not have much hope of the port of Eoxton being Used. Mr Barber: Eoxton has never had a wreck yel. 11l reply In Mr A. McKay, the engineer said he had discussed the most suitable tune tor the idling ol the timber. Winter was the most suitable time, Inti there were difficulties in getting out the timber then but this would no doubt be overcome. Messrs A. A. Brown and W. 11. Gunning supported the sending ol the Board's engineer to Australia. Mr Gunning said he had hopes of the Eoxton harbour being improved so. as to handle the shipping to this district, as it represented' a lag saving. The engineer and Mr Seifert should he thanked for the work thev had performed for the Board. The report was adopted.