TAKING THE CURRENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2700, 26 February 1924, Page 3

TAKING THE CURRENT.

IMPORTANT POINTS STRESSED A' general discussion of the progress of the canvassing and general policy took place at the meeting of the Horowhenua Power Board at Levin last week. Speaking to the motion that the engineer’s report be adopted, the chairman, (Mr G. A. Monk) said that, as. was stated in the report, a certain hesitation Avas noticeable amongst the flaxmillers to put- in electric power and that this might be ascribed, in most instances to an abjection to installing a plant whilst the date at which power would be available was uncertain. M. A. A. Brown supported this. He fully intended to put in the power, but until he knew definitely when he could get it, he was not going to take any steps towards installing a plant. Mr A. Seifert stated that, speak*ing for himself, his reason for not putting in the electric motors at present was that the cost would be fairly large and he did not want to put them in and have them lying idle, possibly for some time. Mr. A. Ross sad the whole thing hinged on what time they were going to get the power. Until he knew just what month he could get the current he was not prepared to make any arrangements for change of power. As far as flax-millers were concerned they could not stop in the middle of the season to change over and unless they could get power within the time specified, namely, August, he was of opinion that the flax-millers would not put it in until the following year. As far as he could see the power would not be ready for some time after the date promised* and he did not think that flax-millers would put in motors until they knew just where they stood. The engineer could help matters along by finding out. exactly which millers were prepared to take the power and these figures would he helpful later on. Mr Ross also brought up the question of the canvassing, stating that in the past month 70 consumers had been signed np by the Installation Officer. Wages had to be paid, also cost of upkeep of motor ear, etc., and it seemed to be a costly way of procuring consumers. It might be better to circularise possible customers and arrange dates and times for calling on them in order to prevent them being out when called on, as was now very often the ease. It was also desirable, that costs of the work in progress should be compiled so that the Board might know just how work was progressing in relation to the estimated cost. The chairman stated that at present- the canvasser had to oversee the installation in the groups already formed, which took up a lot of his time. For this reason be could not devote the whole of his time to canvassing and the work appeared to be more costly than it. really was. At the same time it would probably be a good thing that the canvasser should have some literature which he might leave in cases where he did not see the householder, explaining just how to go about linking up. Mr Barber stated that more information was desirable. The average consumer did not understand just what he wanted. In many eases he did not know what a lighting point was or anything whatever about it. Any information which, would give them a better knowledge of the matter would lessen the work of the canvasser and increase the amount of work which he could do in a day. Mr A. I. Mackay supported this and also advised that if possible the Installation Officer should notify householders when he was going to call on them. Mr D. W. Matheson said they were discussing the matter without understanding the possible difficulties of the Installation Officer. He would suggest that he he asked to put his views before the Board before any definite decision was arrived at. This was supported by Mr Seifert. The chairman -said he was glad to see the discussion brought up. They were about to appoint another canvasser and any suggestions for his assistance were valuable. He regretted that more information in this respect had not come up. Mr Ross had stated that work Y as be " ing passed over through men- not being at home and circulars might be helpful in these cases, but could not be more * than supplementary. More could be done by five minutes’ conversation with a man than in a week’s writing and they could not do without the canvasser. Mr W. H. Gunning stated that as far as the farmers were concerned they were in the position of the flax-millers who were not prepared to put in machinery until the power was available. The chairman: They do not have to-pay until the power is available. The Board is paying for the installation and no charge will he made except for supervision of the work until the current is ready. Mr Ross: That is not generally understood. Most people understand that they have to pay as soon as the work was done. The chairman: The finances of the Board have been so arranged that if reticulation is done when the power is available the" consumer commences paying immediately, but it would not be fair to charge the first men to link up from the time of installation when they might have to wait six months for power. Mr Barber: That is certainly not generally understood. The chairman: Well you can make it as public as you like. This is the

arrangement that has been arrived at. Mr C. Kilsby suggested in County districts consumers should he notified through the press as to when the Installation Officer would be in the district and where he might be found at stated times, so that they could consult him as to their requirements. Mr Gunning quoted from the Board’s application form to the effect that the cost of installation must be paid immediately on the completion of the work. This, he stated, was definite and if the consumer did not have to pay until the power was available, he should know it. Mr Barber said he would like it to he clearly understood that they were not censuring the canvasser. They merely wished to assist him, and any suggestions made would he towards that end. The engineer stated that personally he considered that, excepting Foxton, flic Board was doing very good business. In Foxton a public meeting was held and the matter thoroughly explained from the public platform so that it was not from lack of information that they had not met with more success there. He quite agreed that, potential consumers did not understand electricity and they never would understand it until they saw the wheels going round. The Board was in the

position of selling a “pig in a poke” at present. As for a man within*' the radius of a group, who had been missed was concerned, arrangements were made so thal he could ho included in the group later at the same price. A flat rate of £2 10/- was being collected from each consumer who joined np for eacli system which was installed, but no further money would he collected until the power was available. Mr Kiss suggested that the different Power Boards he written to, asking that a conference of engineers he held to decide just when the power would he available from Manga hau. If the current would not be ready for twelve months the Board would have to modify its scheme of expenditure. The chairman said that the local Power Boards were the ones which were interested and should approach the Minister and place their position clearly before him. They should tell him clearly that consumers would not join up until current was available and should exert pressure to ensure the current being ready as soon as possible. Mr Brown asked whether, if he bought a transformer for his flaxmill. the Board would instal and pay for it and charge him only when tho juice was ready. The chairman: Exactly. That is just what we want. If the flax-mill-ers will let us know their requirements in this direction we will order (hem immediately. The chairman then moved that the engineer’s report he adopted and that- the Power Boards interested in taking the power from Mangahao should he circularised asking them to join in a deputation to the Minister asking that a definite statement as to when power would he available should be .made. This was carried. Mr W. R. Jack, the Board’s Installation Officer, asked for his opinion as to anything which could he done by the Board to help the work of canvassing, stated that one thing be would advise would be a circular such as had been suggested. What was necessary was to explain the cost of lighting and heating points, etc., so that this would be generallyunderstood. There was also the case of the man who would not make up his mind. In such cases the only thing was to let him alone and when he had made up his mind he could come along and join up. He could only give such a man all the information possible and did not have the time to run after him. In answer to Mr Gunning, he stated that he had not understood that the payment for installations might be deferred until the current was available. He had informed consumers that the payment would have to be made when the work was completed. Asked as to whether lie thought he would get more consumers if he could assure them that they would not have to pay until power was available, he said that he did not think so. When people wanted power, the cost not deter them, or where it did they could take advantage of the Board’s scheme of finance.

The chairman stated that one difficulty of circulating a district was that they were at present only canvassing along the main lines. It vc-as not desirable to circularise the whole district and he thought the only thing that, could be done was that when the. canvasser called and found a man out, he eould leave a form showing the cost of installation.

The question of arranging a circular .such .as was suggested was left to the engineer t.o draw up.— Chronicle.