HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 29 May 1923, Page 4

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. The first meeting for the year of the newly-elected Horowhenua. Electric Power Board was held on Tuesday. Present: Me&srs G. A. Monk (chairmian), A. A. Brown, A. Ross, W. G. Barber, C. Kilsby, A. Mackay, A. Seifert, JD. W. Matheson and W. H. Gunning. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Engineer, Mr T. R. Overton, reported as follows Buildings.—The stores, garage and sub-station buildings are now completed with the exception of painting and cleaning up generally. On going into the matter of storing petrol it was found that the by-law required a separate .'building. I therefore consulted with the chairman and it was decided to instruct the builder to erect petrol and oil (stores at a cost of £B7. This amount will be an extra on the original fender price. In connection with these buildings I would like to add that Mr Standen has handled the job expeditiously and in a very satisfactory manner. The brick residence is progressing fairly well but the contractor-reports being retarded owing to his inability >to secure competent bricklayers; it is expected, how ever, that the main brickwork will completed by the end of this week. Contract No. 2.—The sawn timber for cross-arms, etc., is now overdue and in reply to enquiries : Mr Porter states that a small shipment is expected in Wellington this week by the Manuka. Should this material not come to hand I would like authority to secure quantities to carry on with in the meantime, such quantities being a deduction on his tender. Pole Carting.—Although the weather •has not been favourable for this class of work 250 poles have been carted out in the vicinity of Foxton and on the Foxton-Shannon road. Immediately the Foxton dump is cleared sufficiently to receive further consignments a start Will he made on the Shannon dump. Generah—Quantities of material have arrived during the month, same is now being tlaken into stock in the new stores where an experienced storeman' has been placed in charge. The temporary premises in Oxford street will be abandoned by the end of this month. It will probably be found necessary to secure a one-ton lorry before next meeting, I would therefore like to Wave authority to purchase a Ford one-ton truck when same is required. Referring to the Board’s proposed by-laws, I have had applications from electrical contracting firms for copies of slame; I am therefore of opinion that they should be made ready for use. The report was adopted. AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT. The Wairarapa Power Board wrote suggesting that the Boards concerned in the (allocation of power from Mangahao should press for the postponement of the guarantee required by the Public Works Department of the amount of power that would be taken; they also suggested 'a further deputation to the Minister on the subject.

The Government forwarded draft of agreement to take power for signature, the Board having already agreed to the Public Works Department’s proposals for the acceptance of the full load of 1200 h.p. in instalments as the Board required it, and gradually working up to the full allocation. The chairman said, though the Board had accepted this arrangement there were points in the agreement that required consideration. One was the clause whch provided for payment to the Department quarterly in advance. Thus the Board would in the early stages be ; paying before it was receiving revenue. He contended that the first payment should be postponed for six or twelve months until the Board was getting some revenue. Another point was that the provision for 5 per cent, discount was struck out of the standard 'agreement. Boards in the Auckland district were receiving the 'benefit of this and he saw no reason why later boards should not get it also.

Mr Gunning urged that provision should be miade for boards being enabled’to receive 10 per cent, above or below their (allocation of power. Mr Ross thought they should defer signing the agreement in the meantime and take the matter up with the Minister, seeing that they had accepied the allocation. The chairman s'aid the united boards could do much more than one alone.

The secretary drew attention to fne clause which allowed the Department to supply power to> consumers requir-

ing over 50 h.p. in a Board’s district. The chairmJan said that in the last conference the Minister definitely stated that the Department had no

intention whatever Qf interfering in a power disrict. The clause, he explained, was a safeguard to cover cases where, there might be a disagreement between a board and a. consumer. It was intended to prevent hoards

J from dealing unfairly with boroughs or consumers.

Mr Matheson: Why should the Department assume that anyone .will be unfairly treated. This point should be absolutely cleared up. The chairman said the point had already arisen in certain cases. The Department would not fallow the Power Board to become a dictator.

Mr Seifert thought there should be some saving clause, though not perhaps in the present form. Mr Kilsby considered the clause should be left in.

The Board decided to join with the Wairarap.a Board in the proposed conference and ; submit the various points raised to it, signing of the agreement to be held ovier in the meantime.

SUPPLY OF POLES. One of the pole supply controllers in New South Wales advised that the order had ben over-cut by a few poles and enquired .whether ithe Board would take (he excess. The Engineer said that it would mean a saving of £l7 over current rates if "the firm would accept contract rates for the extra poles. It was decided to offer tender prices for the balance. The Engineer s aid he proposed, if the cross-arms did not. come to hand this week, to use a few rata crossarms.

CONTRACT OR DAY LABOUR. The following paragraph in the Engineer’s report was discussed: “As constructional work will be commencing shortly, I would like some direction ias to the rates of pay, holidays, etc., labourers are to receive. This rate will of course determine payments to be made to more skilled operatives such as gangers, pole filters and the like. In connection with line-men and others, subject to an award, I take it that the award rates will apply.” The chairman said that if they wanted to have good men they would have to pay a fair wage, but there was no reason why they should be lavish.

The Engineer said he considered 13s a day was a fair basic wage. For more skilled labour they would have to pay up to 16s. Mr McKay raised the point as to whether tlie Board should put up poles by contract. The Engineer s f aid in some cases it might be satisfactory and in others it would not be. Mr Kilsby quoted the experience of the Otaki Borough Council in laying water-pipes. A change was made from day labour to contract with the result that the work was being done quicker with fewer men. Mr McKay mentioned the erection of the telephone line at the southern end of the district as an example ,of contract work, but the chairman questioned whether the quality of work under contract was the same las under properly supervised day labour. Mr Seifert considered the benefits of day labour were greatly over-rated. Under contract there was a process of natural selection by which suitable men w&re retained and greater efficiency obtained. One difficulty was that just when a gang had been built up,' the contractor probably lost a tender 'and it was dispersed again. Mr Gunning considered better results were obtained from contract work.

The chairman said the matter was one largely for the Engineer. They had to get the work done satisfactorily. He considered it was 'a matter of supervision every time. Mr Rarber said a great deal .rested with the Engineer. Mr McKay said he raised the pohß because the best men he knew of were looking for contracts. They were i.ot seeking day work'. The chairman: There are men in the district who would like to go on day work wth the idea of getting a knowledge of the work and subsequently 'becoming contractors. After further discussion as to the

quality of contract work Mr McKay said they were not bound to accept the lowest tender, but could give it to jeliable men. Mr Matheson: Local bodies usually accept the lowest tender. The chairman : The trouble is that it is difficult to explain why you do

not, do so. Reverting to the question of wages, Mr Ross asked whether the workers would not com© under the general labourers’ award. The whole m'ater was referred to the Finance Committee to consider. GENERAL. Accounts totalling £4997 were passed for payment, this includnig £2926 for poles, £443 for freight, and £llsO for the building contractor. It was decided to. meet on the third Tuesday in each month.

SECRETARY AND ACCOMMODATION. The chairman said the arrangement the Board had had with the County Council had been the means of saving a good deal of money, but it could not go on any longer. The work of the Board now required the entire Intention of one man and ai good man at that. He moved that they call for

applications for 'a permanent secretary at £450 per annum. Mr Matheson supported the motion. Mr Seifert said the present arrangement had been very satisfactory and economical, but it could not go on indefinitely. They must offer a salary that, would attract a good man. Mr Barber pointed nut that th Q y would also want more accommodation. Mr Ross considered £4OO sufficient salary to commence at, with annual increments. The motion was carried, tne Finance Committee to arrange derails and go into the question of accommodation. FINANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. The chairman and Messrs Seifert and Matheson were appointed a Fin ance Committee.