THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 46, 4 September 1924, Page 2

THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING. The Thames Valley Electric Power Board met on Tuesday, there being present: Messrs. F. H. Claxton, chairman (Thames borough), C. A. Arthur (Te Aroha borough), F. M. Strange, J. B. Thomas (Fiako county), J. W. Anderson (Matamata county), J. McCormick (Thames county), J. Pohlen (Matamata county), G. Howie (Morrinsville borough), W. E. G. Willey (Hauraki Plains county), F. E. Flatt (Paeroa borough) and P. Grace (Ohinemuri county). MORE POWER. The chairman reported that he had interviewed the Minister for Public Works in order to ascertain if more power would be available for the board. In response to the request a telegram had been received stating that he was prepared to undertake that the board’s load need not be restricted below 2500 kilowatts and hoped to supply the board with more but could not definitely allocate any : further amount. The board was also asked what its possible requirements would be up to 1928. The matter was left with the engineers to reply.

POLES ON POST OFFICE SITE. The Under Secretary, Public Works Department, wrote with reference to the board’s proposal to erect a transmission line across the post office section at Waitakaruru. The department stated that there appeared to be no objection to the erection of the line provided the poles to carry the transmission line were placed sft back from the front boundary and close up to either side boundary of the site. It was pointed out that in the event of the erection of a post office building it was possible that the proposed minimum clearance of 21ft might not be sufficient and in that case the board would be required to make the necessary alteration. NEW ZEALAND POLES. Mr. S. W. Black, Whanganuuino, Waikato, wrote stating- that he hail a plantation of eucalyptus stringy bark growing at Whangamarino. The area was about 100 acres in extent and the trees had been growing- for nearly 50 years. Poles could be cut up to 50ft in length and loin at the butt, tapering to 9in at the top. The chairman stated that he had referred the matter to the Conservator of State Forests but so far no reply had yet been received. It was considered that it might be worth while trying- some of the New Zealand poles. The matter was deferred until the report of the conservator came to hand. SUPPLY OF RATA. A letter from a Hamilton firm of sawmillers was received offering to supply first-class straight - grained rata timber for cross arms at 45s per 100 ft f.o.r. Frankton junction.—Received. CONCRETE BASES FOR POLES. W. W. Impey, Auckland, forwarded plans and specifications of concrete bases for transmission poles. The matter was referred to the engineer for a report. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £3539 9s 6d on the loan account and £1844 10s Sd on the power fund account were passed for payment. DETACHED AREAS. Mr. T. Hinton, chairifian of the Central Power Board, waited upon the board with a proposal that the Thames Valley Board transfer a portion of its territory at Scotchman’s to his board.

Mr. Hinton said that the matter had arisen at the instance of the Tamahere Road Board, which had raised a loan of £33,000 for road metalling- and maintained that the cost of quarrying would be reduced by Is Cd per yard by the installation of an electric motor. In the Scotchman’s Valley the Central Board’s area could be extended another 3 -2 miles further in the Thames Valley area’s direction and take in seven consumers. The Central Board was not keen on the proposal but they wished to help the Tamahere Road Board to obtain cheaper metal. It was also proposed to transfer a portion of the Te Hoe area. The chairman considered that the board should assist the proposal to give power to the quarry but the matter should be inspected very fully. He suggested that a committee should be appointed to attend to the matter so that arrangements could be expedited. He promised that the matter would have the board’s immediate attention. He considered that the Scotchman’s Valley area would not be of any use to the Thames Valley Board for about 20 years to come. The new boundary might be a little irregular but he did not think that this was a"serious thing. They should endeavour to assist the settlers to (Continued in Next Column.)

acquire light and power. lie suggested that the manager and the engineer irfspcct the territory. Mr. Howie agreed that the Thames Valley Board could not use this area at the present time. Mr. Flatt was against letting the board’s property be Transferred. The chairman said that if the area could not be used by the board it would be better to let somebody else use it. It was decided that the chairman, Messrs. Thomas, Strange, the manager and the engineer should inspect the area in question. Matters at Tauhei had been adjusted so that the Central Board would supply the power. TAUMANGI ROAD. Mr. Anderson moved that a canvass be made of the Taumangi road. The motion was adopted.