ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2674, 20 December 1923, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

DISCUSS FOXTON MATTERS. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board, a letter was read from the Foxton „ Borough Council drawing the Board’s attention to the fact that thie Board had erected poles along the northern boundary of the borough in a most awkward position, thereby rendering it necessary that the trees along the northern boundary of what is known as Victoria Park should be cut down, whereas 'this could quite easily have been a•voided had the poles followed the road. line. Any of the councillors would* be pleased to point out how the thing might be remedied. ; _ Mr Barber said it had struck him that the poles were in a most awkward position. There had been plenty of room. The engineer said the poles might never be used at all. If high tension wires were put on them they would have to be shifted. The matter was left to the engineer. FOXTON GAS WORKS. The Foxton Borough Council wrote asking if the Board would be willing to appoint a committee of three to meet a similar committee of the council, to discuss the proposal that the Power Board should take over the Municipal Gaswox-ks there, and to draw up reports for submission to tlie'two bodies. The chairman moved that the matter be held over until the next meeting. He did not think that the Board had the power to purchase gas works and if it had he did not think they should purchase municipal works. He would like the matter held over uiitil Mr Ross could he " present. The chairman’s motion was carried. ... i FOXTON PUMPING RATES. The Foxton Borough Council wrote requesting the Board’s consent to a contract for seven yea is for pumping 25-35 h.p. between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. for £l5O per annum. The engineer stated that lie had offered the .Council 20 >li.p. at the £l5O a year. The recommendation of the engineer that the rate be £7 10s per „JC.V.A. per year between 0 p.m. and 4 a.m. —the maximum demand measured quarterly —was adopted. PROGRESS REPORT OF FOXTON GROUP INSTALLATION.

The Board’s engineer, Mr T. R. Overton, stated: “Group 3, commencing at Moutoa and comprising a portion of the Borough of Foxton is now proceeding satisfactorily. To date 98 lighting, 11 milking motors, 4 industrial motors, 10 C water heaters and 3 ranges have been applied for. A large portion of the borough has yet to be canvassed, but it is confidently expected that an additional 50 consumers will come into this Group. The total number of applications received to Hate are — Lighting .. . • 208 Milking motors .. 20 General power " . .. 7 Ranges .. .. 10 Hot water services .. 24 The framework of the Foxton sub-station is now complete, and a number of transformer platforms have been erected. Re pole erection, the Engineer re■ported that No. 1 Gang have completed the borough’ of Foxton with the exception of a few dressed poles required in Union St., which are not yet to hand. The Foxton Beach Line has been erected from the substation to a point about a mile along Lady’s Mile Rd. The gang was shifted back to complete the swamp gap of the Shannon.-Foxton line between Barber’s and the River. This work has been done, FLAXMILL RATES. The Engineer reported regarding llaxmill rates and the application of same to night running. A reduction in units charged can be made effective between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. of a farthing per unit. Mr Seifert thought that if a slight reduction was made in the rates for flax mills it would encourage a night load. They could not turn out quite the same quality of fibre by artificial light. There was time enough yet, but it was a matter which the Board would have to consider. The chairman said that, if the Board was not selling the current it would be better to sell it at id per unit than waste it. if;;;; \ Mr Matheson said if the flaxmillers could run at night at a low cost it would pay them well. The chairman said if all the flaxmills ran during the day they were going to-have a load right out of balance. Mr Gunning agreed that the flaxmills offered a chance to balance the load if they ran at night and the position could be met by special contract. The discussion then lapsed.