HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 21 March 1924, Page 3

HOROWHENUA ELECTRIC POWER BOARD.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. At the monthly meeting of tlie Horowhenua. Power Board, the Engineer (Mr T. Overton) • reported as follows

I have the honour to submit my feport covering the period since last Board meeting. With the exception of a little broken time owing to rough weather, the rate of progress lias been fairly satisfactory. Buildings.—The Sub-station at Shannon is now complete, but settlement with the contractor cannot be made until items such as door locks, painting sashes, etc., are finished.' The attendant’s cottage is not making as good progress as might be expected owing to plasterers going away from the work. Carpenters and plumbers are practically finished, the former, however, being held up by the plasterers. With regard to drainage of these buildings, a cess-pit will not be advisable on account of the non-ab-sorbant nature of .the ground. Mr O’Connor is ’agreeable to the drainage crossing his property into an old creek bed thereon—probably this course will be adopted. The cottage , at Mako Mako road is well under way, the walls being up six feet from the foundations. I would like authority to complete the necessary fencing around the section.

Line Erecting: No. 1 pole gang have been erecting additional poles in Shannon Borough, also lines off the 'Shannon-Foxton main line and main line poles through the township of Manakau; these could not have previously been erected on account of telegraph lines being in, the way. This gang is now greeting in the Levin Borough. No. 2 Pole Gang have completed the main line to the WaiKanae riven Swampy jground and hard shingle has been experienced this side of Waikanae, which held back progress very much. The pole lorry carted out 214 poles and has run. out the heavy wire on the Foxton-Shannon line and on the Levin-Otaki line. No. 1 Wiring Gang have erected 160 chains of main line wiring and have also completed 75 per cent, of the Shannon Borough reticulation. Eleven additional service lines have been run outside of the Borough and 52 within the Borough. No. 2 Wiring Gang have completed the Shannon-Foxton main line as far as Mr Easton’s and have erected 10 service lines. No. 3 Wiring Gang have completed the Levin-Otaki line as far as Ohau. Sub-stations—The sub-station erectors completed five . outdoor transformer platforms and are now engaged on 'the switch f ramies for* Levin and Shannon indoor sub-sta-tions. Workshops—Material, has been made up in the workshops as follows : Cross arms 600, angle , hooks 100, braces 247, earth-guards 18, top and spacing blocks 196, hand rails 16, earth pipes 78, pipe stays 25, six high tension panels have been completed. Installations— Canvassing within the Levin Borough is progressing very satisfactorily, and to date 140 consumers have signed up. Before complieting the canvass on the western side of the railway line it is hoped to obtain "another 40 signatures. Since the Shannon groups closed another ten consumers have signed up, making a total in that Borough of 170 installations. The total figures to date are: Lighting installations 464, .hot water services 30, industrial motors 21, milking motors 31. cooking ranges 25. During the period 54 installations have been inspected and passed for payment.

General: During the month examin-, ations were conducted under the Board’s by-law. W. A. Jenson (Levin) was successful in obtaining a master wireman’s license, and five wiremen’s licenses were issued. I have secured the services of another installation inspector for the southern portion of the district, in the person of Mr Edward Slevin, of Hamilton, foreman and sales engineer, employed by the National Electrical and Engineering. Co., Ltd. Mr Slevin will be found competent and suitable for the work. In order to meet the demand for conveyance of material and tools for the wiring gang, I found it necessary to purchase a spring dray and harness at an expenditure of £2B 15s. With regard to supply of power to certain flaxmills, I have, received enquiries for contracts fo,r supply over a term of years, this being required before expenditure on the installation of motors is justified. I would like authority to negotiate with the miillers concerned before {bringing forward a recommendation.