ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2738, 27 May 1924, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

ERECTION OF BRANCH LINES,

The question of the Horowhenua Power Board’s policy regarding the erection of branch or lateral service lines was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board as the result of Mr W. E .Barber stating that a number of people in his district, between Foxton and Foxton Beach settlement were making inquiries as io when the canvasser would visit them, some of them fearing that they would not be given an opportunity of linking up, as they had not been approached whilst the canvasser was doing the Foxlon township.

The Chairman, Mr G. A. Monk, stated that these people would be treated as ordinary applicants. These people would be on a lateral line and the policy of the Board was that when sufficient applications were received from any place to make the erection of a- lateral line a payable proposition, such a line would be put in. Mr A. Ross said that as the Board had practically completed ’the erection of. the main lines, the Board should push along the canvass for lateral line subscribers. He suggested that the people at the Foxton Heads be written to asking as to their intentions. Mr Barber said that this did not get over his difficulty. The part he spoke of was the Lady’s Mile at Foxton, where there were a number of houses the owners of which were ratepayers and should be considered. The chairman stated that the building of the lateral lines would take at least 12 months. The policy of the Board was to build first those lateral lines which would allow (lie quickest and largest returns. The others would be built later. The' people mentioned by Mr Barber had no reason to worry—they would be attended to in due course. The position now was that when the power became available they would turn it on, on the main lines. The other lines would come in as soon as pos« sible. At the beginning of the scheme a man had gone through the district and noted every house and milking shed along the roads. The Board was guided to a great extent by this plan, but not altogether, as there had been changes during the past two years. In answer to a question from Mr Maeka.y as to whether the engineer could not draw up a plan showing the lateral lines which would pay best, the chairman stated that this could be done by consultation between the Engineer and members for the various localities. As far as the canvassers were concerned they must work the townships along the main lines for the present. At these places no further fines were necessary—they had the poles on the spot and could go right ahead. They were assured of rev enue from the township and only after these were served could they go on with me lateral lines. Air A. ftpss asked if there would oe any delay owing to lack of material when n came to building the lateral lines.

The chairman stated that arrangements were being- made now by the Engineer to get thq neces■miy supply of poles on hand in anticipation of the commencement of ibis work. Air Gunning stated that he" had recently looked over the work being done at Aiangahao and was of the opinion that iL was progressing very satisfactorily. He was of opinion ibat the work wouid be completed as soon as was promised, which was . uoui August aud it wouid be as i lo have as many lateral lines erected so that revenue might be received from them as soon as power became available. —Chronicle.