SHIFTING A POWER LINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3835, 23 August 1928, Page 2

SHIFTING A POWER LINE.

WHO IS TO PAY? The secretary of the Horowhenua Power Board (Mr P. W. Goldsmith) reported to the meeting of the Board on Tuesday that, in accordance with instructions, he had forwarded an account of £76 17s lid to the Main Highways Board for work done in shifting the power line away from the new road at the Shannon-Manawatu bridge. In a covering letter he had explained the circumstances leading up to the position. Some four years ago, in the course of electric line construction the Power Board obtained an easement from a land-owner and took the line through his property. The road approaches to the new bridge, built for the Shannon-Foxton Highway, were brought so near to-the line that the latter threatened to be a danger to traffic, and had to be removed. The Power Board felt that it should not be called upon to bear all the .cost of the removal of the line. The amount of the account was for the bare cost of the work done, and no account was taken of any damage to material through removal and nothing was charged for supervision. The chairman (Mr G. A. Monk) stated that the Manawatu County Council, -which was doing the work, was previously approached, but it received intimation from, the Highways Board that it (the Council) was not liable. The matter had been taken up with the District Engineer and the Chairman of the Highways Board, with the result that the Power Board was for.warding the account, which, this Board considered, should in fairness be paid. The Power Board had been ordered to shift the line, and he thought that the Highways Board and the Manawatu County Council would have to foot the bill.