HOROWHEMUA POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 26 February 1924, Page 3

HOROWHEMUA POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tiie monthly meeting oi tlic Horowlienua Power Board was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, when there was a lull attendance of members. Mr G. A. Monk, chairman of the Board, presided. CORRESPONDENCE. From tho Levin Borough Council stating that the Council had now.decided to have the whole of the lamps within-, the Borough on an all-night service at the cost as arranged.—Received. From Samuel Brown, Ltd., stating that the pole contract was now completed and trusting that it .was to the complex satisfaction of thfe Board. , They expressed their satisfaction at ■ the treatment they had always received from the Board and would be glad to da any further business required.—Received. FBEfGHT ON POLES. From the Manawaki Electric Power Board forwarding a copy of theChieJ Engineer's report on the question oj

poles, and the charges on same.by ' the Railway Department. They asked that the Horowhenua Power "Board

join with them in a deputation to the Minister asking that the question of 'freights/be reviewed The chairman said that this was not a new matter. It had been ■ be-'- . fore the .last -Power ..Boards Conference in Wellington, when the matter had been brought before the Minister of Railways and a reply received. At the same timte, in order to ibe consistent they might very well join in the deputation. If any concession could be got from the Railway Department they should be present to assist the matter along. Mr Ross stated that he considered the Manawatu Board should be supported. The cost of freight on hardwood was excessive and should be reconsidered. The chairman said that one of the complaints of the Manawatu Board was that the Railway Department forwarded poles in trucks with sides the poles 'being loaded with cranes. At' the other end, however, they had tc be taken out without such assistance. Although the Horowhenua Power Board had not experienced this trou--ble such matters might be brought before the Department by a deputation and this was a further reason for, supporting it. j

On the metion of Mr Ross it was agreed to support ihe deputation.

THIRD GROUP TENTJER. The tender of Messrs R* Y. Walls of £2lll 8s for the wiring of the No. 3 Group, Foxton Borough and Shan-non-Foxton road was accepted. Accounts amounting to £4248 7s 2d were passed for payment. ENGINEER'S REPORT.! The following report was submitted by the Board's Engineer, Mr T. R. Overton: — ~ ' • ' Buildings.—Sub-station at Shannon lias all. Walls except the rear" wall, complete; The roof is also finished and plastering is now going on. The sub-station attendant's cottage now has the roof nearly complete, and plasterers are engaged on inner an<l outside walls. Both buildings should be completed in, ahout three weeks' time. A commencement has been made on the Mako Mako road cottage at Levin, and the concrete foundations are now laid Installations: The Fourth Group, commencing on Levin-Foxton Road, and portion of the ; Levin Borough is now in progress. The number of consumers booked to date are as follows: — - Lighting-installations 70 Milking motors 3 Motors for general power 6 Cooking - ranges- ............... 8 The following totals have been received to date:— Lighting installations , ?70 Milking motors :.'"...:....'.......... 29 Motors for industrial purposes ..- ; 21 Waiter heaters 25 Cooking ranges .- 20

Fairly good progress has been made with Groups 1 and 2, about 38 installations having been completed. I would recommend progress payments in each of these contracts in terms of same. Mr R.'N. Spiers, of Foxton, ttias applied lor a special rate contract lor his timber factory. I' would recomnmd that authority be given the chairman and -myself to act in this matter. ' Flaxmill installations are not making much progress to date, and I am of opinion that something should be done in order that the best terms ol purchasing motors may be arranged and installations made by the time current is available. Line Erecting.—No. 1 pole gang I havie completed Tokomaru township and high tension poles thereto. A lew poles in the towers at the Shannon sub-station, and Public Works Line taps are now being completed. No. 2 pole gang have now • reached a point about one mile past Te Horo railway station. Pole fitting) and snigging is well ahead of this gang. No. 1 wiring gang have run 682 chains of low tension wiring, 30 house servioes and 11 motor services between Levin and Shannon, and are now employed in.t/he Borough of Shannon. No. 2 Wiring Gang.— This gang commenced on the 26th January and have run about 2500 chains of wire on the Shannon-Foxton road, also completing five lighting and three motor services.

During the month the storekeeper resigned and Mr F. E. Leddra. lately of Mangahao in the Stores Records Office, was appointed. The appointment of a second installation inspector and canvasser has not been definitely settled. With regard to seaside residence rates and the fact that the minimum bill of 5s per month Is preventing tit' class of consumer being obtained. ' would like authority to postpone the matter until .more information is collected of the recniirements of lln 1 whole district, whlen a now rain will. I think, bn minimi.