HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 4036, 31 December 1929, Page 4

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

At the monthly meeting of the Hovowhcnua Power Board the secretary reported that he had written to the Power Boards’ Association pointing out that the State Fire Office—and, lie presumed, other insurance companies—had increased the previous rate of 45/per cent, for general workmen, inspectors and meter-readers to 60/per cent. A reduction of 25 per cent, had been made on lire and motor vehicle risks, hut the increase! referred to more than coun-ter-balanced the concessions. He trusted that the executive would look into the position. A reply was received from, the secretary of the Association (Mr. T. F. Martin) stating that, the executive committee had decided that, in view of the unsatisfactory attitude of the Underwriters’ Association, it would take the necessary steps to obtain Parliamentary authority for running its own insurance scheme.

The chairman said he had not been aware that legislation would have to bej sought in this connection; evidently Mr. Martin had decided that it was necessary. On the motion of Mr. Vincent seconded by Mr. Blenkhorn, it was decided that the Board concur in the action of the executive. GENERAL.

The engineer was granted parmission to attend the’ N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers’ Conference, to be held at Dunedin on 18th February.

The (Cllerk reported that he had written to the District Engineer at Shannon with reference to approaching the Public Works De-~ partment 'for a new agreement between the Board and the (Department, rendered necessary by the expiry of the present 'five-year agreement on March 31st next. Particulars were requested as to the price of electricity to the Board for a further term, and the secretary added, in his letter, that whenever a general reduction in the cost was warranted and made, the Board would expect its share. TREASURER’S REPORT. The following report for the past month was presented by the treasurer and was adopted:— .Since the last meeting of the Board there lias been paid away the sum of £3294. This includes the half-yearly interest on the £BO, - 000 (1922) loan from the A.M.P. Society, Sydney. The 'amount of this half-yearly interest is £2200 and the rate is 51 per cent. Other payments made since last meeting include wages £319, salaries £292, installations £lB9, interest for Central (Power Board debentures £l3B. On the pay-roll for the day theire were accounts which totalled £2386 12/6. Of these accounts, those charged to loan amount to £1355, including accounts for copper wire £1143 and meters £IOB. In the accounts chargeable to revenue account, totalling £1032, the chief item was £BOO, being yearly sinking fund due in connection with the £SO,OOO loan previously mentioned in this report. .RECEIPTS FOR NOVEMBER.

'The cash receipts for the past month from all sources amounted to £3420 4/5. Of this sum £2830 4/- was for electricity, the total for the eight months of the year under this head being £29,591 6/9. The following table relating to cash receipts for November and for the portion of the financial year already passed will* be of interest:

CASH RECEIPTS TABLE. Eight Nov. months £ £ Electricity 2830 '29591 Penalties 24 215 Sundry debtors 381 3297 Interest on installations 1 100 Miscellaneous ' 182 659

£3420 £33864 Shilling's and pence omitted. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer submitted the following report covering the period since the last meeting:— Thirty-four new service lines have been erected, extra phases run on five existing service lines, and one service extended. Sixty-one poles have been fitted and erected, and 593 chains of wire rim out.

Seventy-five single-phase meters have been tested, three repaired and retested, and one range dried out and delivered.

W/orkshop.—The usual .maintenance to vehicles has been carried out, and one 11,000 volt line switch completed, a number of cross- arms and stays cut, and line material made up. General.—-I.would ask for authority to purchase, indent from prices submitted, one mile 19/16 haird-drawn triple-braided copper cable at £75 per mile, f.0.1p Levin. The report was adopted and adthority given for the purchase of copper cable as requested.