THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 17, 7 February 1924, Page 3

THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

FEBR l JAR Y MEET l NG. Th . Thames Valley Electric Power Board i .tt ai To A roll a oil Tuesday, the following being present: —Me srs. F. li. Claxtoii (chain nan), F. Grace, F. E. Flatl. V Y E. G. VYUey, G. Howie, J. Bolden, J. W. Tv vConniek, J. Price, J. W. Andersen, J. 13. Thomas, F. 31. Strange and C. A. Arthur. LOAM MONEY. The general manager of the Australian Mutual Provident Society wrote advising that a cheque for £IO,OOO had been paid to the credit of the board's special loan account, and that interest on same would be due on Juno 1 of tins year and payable to the society’s Sydney office. A DISCOUNT GRANTED. A letter from Hinuera asked for a reduction in the charge for the milking shed motor for the year, as owing to the death of the principal worker of the family the herd had been reduced from 40 to 10 cows, and with such a large reduction in the herd it was not possible to finance the instalments as they became due. Mr. Anderson said that the statements made in the letter were quite correct, and lie recommended that some consideration should bo shown, as it was a deserving ease. Other members supported the request but it was stated also that if a reduction were granted it would he creating a precedent. The chairman advised that the matter should be deferred till the next meeting. Mr. Price said that if they created a precedent in this case there would be numerous similar applications. Mr. Arthur said that this was an exceptional case and there would be few of her requests which would be so deserving. Each case should be dealt with on its merits. Mr. Pohlen thought it best to leave the matter with the manager with the recommendation that a reduction should be favourably considered. Mr. .Strange agreed that it would be establishing a precedent but it was a case which would warrant the step. Mr. Howie was not in favour of establishing a precedent and suggested that the board members should subscribe to help the family.

It was eventually decided that the full charge of £2l be maintained but owing to the exceptional circumstances a discount of £lO 10s be made. On Mr. Flatt’s recommendation it was decided in the case of any further requests of a similar nature that the member for the area from which the request originated and the manager be asked to submit confidential reports in connection thereto. POWER BOARD’S METHODS. The Wairoa Electric Power Board wrote advising that its secretary was visiting th? district and the board would be glad if the Thames Valley board would afford him the facilities for studying the administration methods and policy of development of the ; board. OFFER OF TIMBER. The Waitewheta Timber Co., Ltd., Waikino, wrote offering to supply the board with rata timber for electrical work and asking for information as to the quantity and size required and price it was prepared to pay.— Received. -LIGHTING A BOWLING GREEN. The Paeroa Borough Council wrote, asking the board to reconsider its decision with regard to granting a reduction for lighting the bowlinggreen. The council stated that it considered that it was entitled to some consideration as it was a large consumer of current, which consumption was being considerably augmented by the night lighting of the bowlinggreen, which was consumed after peak hours. The council thought it was unfair for the hoard to charge the highest scale, i.c., “ town house lighting rates,” for large quantities, and asked the reduction should be at least to “ power rates.” Mr. Flatt said that any body of men who were persistent in their requests should receive further consideration. He had been absent when the matter had been previously discussed and he wished that the matter should be deferred till the next meeting so that he could look into it. This course was adopted. A WAHAROA CLAIM. Tlie N.Z- Co-op. Dairy Co. wrote enclosing a letter from their Waharoa factory manager in respect to the loss of production and expense occasioned by stoppage of the Horahora supply. The interruption was said to be under the control of the supply authority. The loss to The Waharoa factory was estimated to he £lB 14s. This amount was claimed from the Power Board. It was decided that a copy of letters containing complaints be forwarded to the Public Works Depart- - -ment’-s electrical branch, Wellington, so that it would be brought under the

notice of the heads of the department with a view to avoiding further such interruptions. TELEPHONE LINES ON POWER POLES. Mr. Ernest Elliot, of Omahu, wrote asking- permission to affix a private telephone line from the Station road to his residence, a distance of j.o'vo 50 chains, on the board’s power poles. The chairman .-aid that any each x'-rangement would not be satisfactory. TIMBER COMPANY'S MOTOR. The Tav po Tote.ra Timber Co. v. rote asking particulars lor the installation of an electric motor in the Putaru.ru timber yard. It was stated that this motor had n! ready imen 5n s ta!led. row T' P FO H W ATT AK A I.W HU. Mr. James ikivcy, W.vitakararo, wrote asking vSr; a the power would be available along the car.:.! roaii. Jf the power would be available along that road shortly the settlers did not wish to go to the expense of installing benzine engines. It was stated that a canvasser was mow on this road. KARAPIRO TERRITORY. The Cambridge Electric Power Board made application for a further instalment of £2OOO in connection with the transfer of the Ivarapiro territoi y to the Cambridge board. The i sum was urgently required to meet a payment due to the contractors reticulating- the territory. A COMPLAINT. The hon. secretary of the Te Poi branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote: —“l am instructed by this union to write you re the dilatoriness of staff in rectifying- breakdowns on Te Poi lines.” The chairman stated that this matter had been dealt with in the manager’s report. FINANCIAL. Accounts amounting- to £12,544 11s fid were passed for payment. REQUEST FOR TELEPHONE. v The Kerepeehi Ratepayers’ Association made application for a telephone to be installed at tlie corner of the Kerepeehi and Ngatea roads, for the use and convenience of' settlers whose power was cut off in the early mornings before the regular telephone exchanges were open. It was pointed out that telephones could not be put at all unimportant corners in the Board’s district. The installation of each phone cost £SO. A DISPUTED ACCOUNT. The manager of the Ra Ora Flaxmill, Paeroa, wrote objecting to the "board’s charges for power consumed at the fiaxmill, which charges, it was contended, were in excess of\he actual amount of power consumed. The board were asked to supply a check meter at the mill. The matter was referred to the board’s solicitor. POWER FOR PATETONGA. Mr. D. Hunter, of Patetonga, wrote: “ I have read your report of the canvass made from Tahuna deviation to Torehape fiaxmill and I have *ome to the conclusion that your figures must be wrong. Your report states that the power offering- you would be £692 short of revenue, but there arc five flax mil Is and Government quarry that will probably come into existence and take power. Even with these you state it will still leave i a debit of £92. Do you mean to tell me that you will give power for five flax mills and Government quarry for £6OO per year? I am quite certain / you are wrong- or your power is ex- i traordinarily cheap. Each fiaxmill would require at least 50 horse power and quarry I should say 30 li.p. There are three flaxmills offering at the present time. Probably one of these mills would require double power for two strippers, so that would be equal to four mills. I am very sorry that your canvasser met with such poor response with farmers’ milking machines, but is it not a fact that your board has power to rate anyone who does not take power? If so, there can be no obstacle in the way. If the farmers all took the power you would have ample without more flaxmills.” The Kaihere branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union wrote advising* that it had decided to hold the matter of installation of electric power in the district in abeyance until it was definitely known if the Government quarry and the flaxmlls would make use of power or not. NEW WORK. Mr. Thomas urged that a portion of the main road t<j Motumaoho along- the railway line should he reticulated, and moved that the area be put on the list of contemplated works ft it was a payable proposition. This was seconded and carried. Mr. Pclilen said that the settlers on the Wardville-Waharoa road were anxiously awaiting- the coming of power. The engineer stated that the canvassers were at present on that road RAILING POWER POLES. A letter was received from the hoard’s shipping agents in Auckland (Continued in Next Column.)

advising that after considerable trouble with the railway authorities they had been able to get that Department to recognise the “ Hoppins ” formula for the measurement of electric power poles. POWER FOR NIGHT WORK. The Morrinsville Co-op. Dairy Co. wrote enquiring if it would receive any benefits by cheaper rates by using- the electric power during the night hours only. It was understood that other factories were working under a similar arrangement. It was stated that the information was being supplied.