THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 228, 15 March 1928, Page 1

THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD

MARCH MEETING. The Thames Valley Power Board met on Tuesday, Mr. F. Strange presiding. Those present were: Messrs. F. E. Flatt, J. B. Thomas, J. Price, G. Howie, W. E. G. Willy, J. Pohlen, C. A. Arthur and H. M. Corbett. Messrs. H. R. Bush, J. W. Anderson and J. W. McCormick were granted leave of absence. Minimum Charges. “ It is not clear from replies to a previous letter whether in all cases it is the practice to credit the consumer with the units consumed up to the amount of the minimum charge,” stated the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department. For example, assuming the minimum charge was 5s per month, the unit charge is 6d per unit and the consumer’s meter shows 10 units consumed for the month, is the 5s minimum charge collected in addition to the 5s for the 10 units at 6d ? The engineer was instructed to set out the board's system cf charging for power. Power for Coromandel. The Coromandel County Council asked for favourable consideration in the matter of the board conveying power to Coromandel and district, and to state the terms on which it would be supplied. It was pointed cut that there were many settlers along the line of reticulation that would no doubt be glad to take the power. The engineer was instructed to go into the position and report. Income Tax on Debentures. A letter was received from the A.M.P. Society suggesting that at the forthcoming conference of Power Boards it would be a good thing if the notice of the Government was drawn to the necessity of a reduction in the rate of income tax on new public body debentures from 4s 6d in the £ to 2s 6d in the £, which was the rate obtaining before 1923. The tax was at a flat rate and on debentures issued prior t_> August, 1923, the rate was 2s 6d in the £. A reduction such as was indicated in the rate of tax on new debenture investments would ease for the borrower the rate of interest by about one-quarter per cent. The chairman thought that no action should be taken. He was of the opinion that the society and other lending institutions were quite strong enough to urge their own claims. No action was taken. Requests for Lower Charges. The Tatua Dairy Co. wrote asking for a reduction in power charges to farmers for milking machines. The chairman said that the question of the board’s charges would be reviewed after the end of the financial year. A Waitakaruru settler wrote stating that in his opinion the charges for electricity for milking motors was too high in comparison with oil engines. While appreciating the cleanliness and comfort of electricity he would be forced to revert to his old engine unless the charges be reduced. He also was notified that power charges were to be reviewed shortly. Power to Dairy Company. The Morrinsville Dairy Co. stated that according to a press report it was said that the board would not supply power to dairy companies after March 31. The company considered that the point was not clear. It was understood that this proposal referred solely to factories with standby plants and under agreements with the Public Works Department and the board. The chairman said that the Morrjnsville factory was not affected, -is the company was not interested in a three-party agreement. Financial. The treasurer submitted accounts for payment totalling £19,623 2s 11d. The receipts for the month totalled £8936 11s 4d. General. Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P., replying to a letter from the board, said it was his practice to keep the local bodies in his electorate informed regarding any proposed legislation, or other matters that might be of interest to (Continued in Next Column)

them. In the case of the board, as its headquarters were at Te Aroha, he had left it to Mr. Macmillan, M.P., to do. For the future, however, as long as he was in Parliament, he would keep the board posted. The Hinuera Dairy Co. sought information as to what the “ off peak ” hours were and the rates of charges during these hours. A list of e.h.p. crossings in the district was sought by the Post and Telegraph Department in accordance with the Electric Supply Regulations, 1927. The engineer was instructed to ‘upply the information. The Thames Harbour Board inquired the terms and conditions for installing a light in the goods-shed on the Kopu wharf. The resident engineer, Public Works Department, Paeroa, writing in connection with the power cables under the new Waihou river bridge at Kopu, advised that the matter was receiving the attention of the Wellington office. Mr. J. Pohlen was granted four months' leave of absence. Mr. Pohlen stated his intention of visiting England. Engineer’s Report. Included in the monthly report of Mr. N. G. McLeod, engineer to the Thames Valley Power Board, was the following:— “ Matamata District. Parapara road, Tirau: The whole of the work i.i connection with this 11,000 volt extension was completed during the month and a 10 K.V.A. transformer las been installed. It was made alive on March 1. Maungatautari.—Pole fitting of the low tension on Scott’s road was commenced on February 24. Pole erection is now being done. Okoroire Springs.—Owing to the road near the bridge being re-formed it was necessary to shift two of our poles. This work was done on February 13. General.—Choke coils were installed at King's transformer on February 35. A new P. and T. cross' g was erected at the Te Poi factoiy comer on February 20. Pole 273 on the Matamata-Hir.uera road was badly damaged by a fire on February 7, and was replaced with a new one the same day.