INSTALLING METERS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 296, 11 July 1929, Page 1

INSTALLING METERS.

A YEAR’S JOB. filatamata Last on List. The installation of meters is to be commenced by the Thames Valley Power Board this week. It is anticipated that it will be at least nine months before the job is completed, Matamata being last on the list. Strong exception to this was taken by the Matamata county representative, Mr. J. W. Anderson, at last week’s meeting of the board. | The manager, Mr. R. Sprague, J stated that 1200 meters were already ito hand. The proposed method to be - followed in installing the meters was j to cut all the supply area into four ! districts, as follows: Kerepeehi, Waii kino, Waihou and Matamata. The metering of the Kerepeehi block I would be started first, commencing i from Tahuna and proceeding through the district, taking in all the west side of the Waihou river between Netheiton and the sea. The Waikino area, from Matatoke to Mangaiti, on the east side of the Waihou river, would then receive attention, following this Waihou would be metered in two areas, one the west; side of the main railway line ami thence to the east side of the i ail way. The Matamata district would then be proceeded with in a . similar manner, using the railway | line as a line of demarkation be- i tween the sub-areas. Mr. Anderson said that a number j of Matamata farmers were altering j their four-cow plants to accommo- | date six cows in preparation for meters, which, it was expected, would be available in a few months. Now he was informed that it was unlikely that they would get meters in Matamata for a year. Mr. J. Price: Would it not be possible to install meters in these cases ?

Mr. Sprague said there was the difficulty and expense of reading meters in isolated spots. The chairman agreed that the cost of reading would be too heavy. Consumers would receive at least a month’s notice of the intention to instal meters.

Mr. J. M Allen suggested that contracts be let for installing the meters. The engineer (Mr. N. G. McLeod) pointed out that certain alterations in wiring had to be made while there were different systems which made it advisable for the beard to use its own staff. Mr. Strange: We went fully into that, and the engineer informed us it was impracticable. Mr. Anderson: Why not put a gang in each district, and do the whole area simultaneously ? Mr. Sprague: We cannot get enough meters to do that. Mr. Anderson: Why did you choose that order? You should have put them in a hat. (Laughter). The chairman: In new districts we are able to instal meters with new installations.