ELECTRIC POWER BOARD MEETS.

Shannon News, 24 August 1923, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD MEETS.

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday, Mr D. W. Matlieson, in the absence ol Mr G. A. Monk, wno was absent through influenza, occupying-the chair. There were, also present Messrs Ross, .'Seifert, Brown, (jiuiming, Kilsby, and Barber. In taking me chair Mr Matheson remarked that every one present would regret the necessity that compelled him to take Mr Monk’s place on this occasion, and on his suggesion the secretary was instructed to write conveying ihe sympathy ol the Board and "hopes for his speedy recovery. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Levin Borough Council in answer to a letter expressing the hope that no time would be lost in providing- suitable permanent offices tor the Board in the new Municipal Buildings, to the effect that the Council was iuliy cognisant of the inconvenience caused by the lack of suitable offices, and conveying the assurance that the Council is making every effort to provide suitable accommodation at an early date.—Letter received. From Mr A. P. Mackay, a member of the Board, applying lor leave ot absence for August and September meetings.—G ranted. From the Public Trust Office to the effect that- the Public Trustee was prepared to accept the appointment as Commissioner of the Sinking Fund of the Board’s loan of £BO,OOO. From Messrs R. B. Trindall Richardson and Co. that in view of th increase in the Income Tax on Local Body Debentures just enacted by Parliament they thought ft advisable to intimate that their offer to place loans for Power Boards at 5£ per cent, for 36jf vears would not be affected by this ‘’legislation and money was s availabie at the rate stated if a,no when required. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner wrote asking the Board to forward specifications of contracts closing October 3rd, so that the requirements of the Board might, be brought to the notice of suitable British manufacturers—Letter received, members remarking on the good work done by the Commissioner in the interests of British trade.

From the Centra! Hawkes Bay Power Board to the effect that that body was shortly taking a poll on a loan and asking lor any information—The clerk was instructed to supply this.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Buildings: The brick residence situated in Mako Mako toad is now completed. A fair amount ol drying out will be required before he house can be occupied—this is being done by lighting fires daily. With reference to laying out paths, fences, etc., I would tike authority to proceed in these matters. Plans for the Shannon, sub-station are now under way and a dwelling tor a lineman- near this building will have to he considered shortly. Tjenders and Contracts: Tenders are now being invited lor main substation equipments, closing on the 3rd of October. Referring to Contract No. 10 lor static transformers, tenders are now to hand and I would recommend that these he dealt with at an early date. In regard to Contracts 9 and 11, Insulated and weatherproof wire and street lighting material, also Contract No. 8, bare copper wire, a portion of which was postponed for more favourable market conditions —these have all been dealt with by the Committee appointed at last meeting and their report is separately submitted. During the month two shipments of poles arrived totalling 1207. The quality is being fully maintained and only three poles were condemned. Cross-arm timber is now being forwarded in quantities which more than meets our present consumption. Pole Carting: The lorry has been partly engaged in distributing material during the month, hence pole carting has been delayed a little. Taking a period of four weeks, 515 poles were Carted out, making a total to date of 1520. Carting is now proceeding from the Shannon dump in order to complete the Foxton-Shannon line. Line Erection: Shortly after last meeting a commencement was made on the Shannon-Levin, line, the first week being absorbed chiefly in organising and training the men in the work. The gang started at Weraroa and have now reached a point five miles distant on the main road to Shannon.

Transport: As a good deal of time takes place between the date of receiving and ordering Ford cars, I would like authority to order at once an adcliion.nl one-ton .Ford lorry fitted willi special gearing, and a Ford car, bolh to he available as soon as possible after- September the Ist. General: Quantities of stores have come forward and are now either iu use or in stock. The Depot workshop is meeting, all requirements in making cross-arms and ironwork. I have received advice that the line foreman. Mr Walker, and the Installation Inspector, Mr Jack, will commence duty here on the Ist of September. In answer to Mr A. Ross, the Engineer said that the total number of poles required for reticulation purposes in the district, was 7000, which was about 2000 more than landed at present. Of this number over 1500 had been laid out. The poles for use (in town lighting would be picked j straight poles. , These would not be \ sapped, but would bo as sightly as I possible with ail knots, etc., dressed i off. • In answer to Mr Seifert the Engmj eer said that the erection gang of seven men at present working were I putting up about half a mile of poles j per day. This was at the rate of a pole to everv three to four chains. 1 Within the boundaries of boroughs poles had to bo placed every 2»i chains, but In the country they could be spread out to 4 chains. Mr Brown asked what was being doin' about acquiring land_ for substations at Foxton and Otnki. The Engineer explained that at both of these places an outside station would he sufficient, and that these could be erected, with the permission of the local bodies, at the dead-end of a road. The station afc Shannon: was

different .as this was the place where the power was taken over from the Government. The Government would bring the power to Shannon and the Board, would take over from there and run one line to Foxton and another to Levin: This Shannon station would cost about £BOO and would need to be erected as soon as possible. It_ would also be necessary to consider the matter of the provision of a house for the caretaker of this sub-station. It mig/ht be possible to lease one within a convenient distance, but otherwise one would have to be: built. It was very essential that the caretaker’s house should be within a short distance of the station so that (he could hear a bell rung there if he were required at any time during the night. It would be worth the Board’s while to consider whether it would not be well to build In cases where .permanent employees were necessary.

The chairman said that he did not consider that they could deal with the question of building -houses at the present meeting. It was one that required careful going into. He moved that the matter of a house for the Shannon caretaker be submitted to a committee consisting of the northern members of the Board and the Engineer. This was seconded by Mr Gunning and carried.

Mr Brown suggested that the Board should adopt, a definite policy regarding the erection of cottages for permanent employees. There would he permanent men on at Levin, Shannon and Ofaki, and it was right to provide them with houses. Mr A. Seifert said- this was a matter for the whole Board to decide. The chairman said that if the committee set up brought in a recommendation that a.house should be built at Shannon it would, practically decide the Board’s- attitude in the matter. _ Mr A. Ross said he was against building-houses where it was not absolutely necessary. The Shannon case was a" special one where it was essential that o. man should live within a short distance of the station. In other places where it was not so, he considered that ihe Board should not go in for more expenditure than could be helped at. the present stage. Accounts amounting to £4850 19s 7d, including railway freight on poles £473 6s sd, imprest accounts, wages, freight, etc., £529 7s ltd, poles £1139 16s 2d, and insulators £I4OO, were passed.