HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 21 March 1924, Page 3

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Ilorowhenua Power Board was held in the Borough Chambers Tuesday, tlie chairman, Mr G. A. Monk, presiding. Also present: Messrs Brown, Matheson, Mackay, Gunning and Barber. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Boss, Kilsby and Seifert. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were received from tlie Dunnevirke, Manawatu-Qroua, Wairarapa’, Tararua, Wanganui-Rangitikei and Butt Valley Power Boards in answer to a circular letter addressed to them from the local Board asking that they join in a deputation to the Minister of Public Works To ascertain when power from, the Mangahao would be available, the general opinion being that they did not think that any useful purpose would be served by such deputation. The chairman stated that he was still of opinion that something should be done. The replies received weire based -only on the • position in relation to the matter of the various Boards, but he did not think the matter should be dropped finally. It might be better to hold it over far the present, however.— I This was agreed. The -Central Power Board wrote re suggested amendments to the power of rating possessed by Power Boards. The matter which was sympathetically considered by the Board, was referred to a committee consisting of j>he chairman, Mr Matheson, and the clerk, Mr P. W. Goldsmith, for further consideration.

The Elthami Borough Council wrote for particulars of the street lighting contracts made by the Board in re- ' spect 'of the various towns within ( its jurisdiction.—Agreed. The Tokomaru Flaxmill Co. wrote asking why tihe iPowien Board had riot extended the pole line as far as their property and stating that they would /require a considerable amount of power when it became available. The engineer. Mr T. Overton, stated that provision had been made to run the line further north so a.s to include this property.—The matter was left in the engineer’s hands for attention. application for refund. /Mr O. M. Jhoobsfon, Cook street, Foxton, wrote asking for a refund of £2 10s paid on an installation as he had disposed of his property and was leaving the place. In answer, to this it was pointed out that as the Board had already gone to considerabl expense in wiring the property that Mr Jacobson should get'the new proprietor to take over his liability. This in a further letter he refused to do stating that if the money were not refunded he would take legal advice regarding its recovery. . Finally a letter was written from the Board sjjjjing that if he could not get the purchaser of the < property to take over the liability there was no course open but to forfeit the deposit. . The chairman stated that the danger of making an exception in such a. case was that of establishing a precedent and that no refund could be made. The letter was received. Accounts totalling £5113 2s 2d, including £3327 for 34 tons of bare copper wire, were passed for payment. POWER FOR FLAXMILLS. ■ The engineer in his report recommended the setting up of a special committee to meet the flax-millers of the district regarding a special rate for electricity. It was pointed out that any recommendations of such a committee would necessarily come before the Board for confirmation. Mr A A. Brown said that. the; mattier of'making such . arrangement should he proceeded with at once. Speaking as a prospective consumer he wanted his mill fitted with electricity so' as to get going under electric power next season. That would mean having everything ready August and as. it would be necessary to get the machinery from England it would be ‘"advisable to discover at once the number of transformers required so that the matter could be put in hand immediately. The chairm'an explained that tne desire of the Board was to fonn the flaxmillers into groups so as to ' or der the transformers required m one lot. The Board, however, did not want to order the transformers before the millers had signed up and have them lying on the ground for some months, jf the millers would sign up, however, there was no reason why the Board could not go ahead. Tihe «- quirements of each mill were dilferent and until it was known what these were the Board could not order. Mr Brown contended that he was in a different position, as he wanted only to operate one shift and not three as in the case of the others. He was willing/ to include his property in a special group for the purpose of installation and would not require the special rate which was bemg asked for by the other millers. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer to be dealt with. The chairman, Mr Matheson, and the engineer were appointed a committee to meet the flaxmillers re the arrangement of special terms.

OTAKI LIGHTING. The chairman stated that lately both he -and the Board’s member for the Otaki district had .been taken to task by the Mayor of Otaki, Mr Brandon, regarding the supply of electricity to that town and in 'this connection he would like to point out that Mr Brandon was putting words into liis mouth when he stated that he (the chairman) had promised that Otaki would be the first place in the district to receive power. What he had said was that he was on his honour to* see that-Otaki was not 'behind the other townships m the district in receiving electricity. He had meant by this that the power over tihe whole district would be turned on at the same moment and to this statement he held. He objected, however, to ‘having statements which he had never made, fostered on to him.

HEATERS AND COOKERS.

1 It was proposed by Mr Brown and seconded by Mr Barber that the

Board purchase ranges and hot water servioes and supply same to consumers, Mr Brown stating that this system had worked out very satisfactorily with the Central Power Board. He considered that the Board would be able to (purchase considerably cheaper than could be done even under the group system. After discussion , T the moitiofn was amended to the effect that quotations be obtained for a supply of both, it being emphasised that the. greatest care should be exercised in seeing that the best make of range only was obtained. A hearty .vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.