ERECTION OF BRANCH LINES.

Shannon News, 23 May 1924, Page 3

ERECTION OF BRANCH LINES.

POWER BOARD'S ATTITUDE. The question of the Horowhenua. Power Board's 'policy regarding 't'he erection of branch or lateral service lines was discussed at Tuesday's meeting of the Board as the result of Mr Barber stating that a number of people in bis district between Foxton and the Fox ton Beach settlement were making inquiries a.s to ' when the canvasser would visit them, some of them fearing that they would not be given an opportunity ' of linking up, as they had not been approached whilst the canvasser was doing the Fo.xton township. The chairman, Mr G. A. Monk stated (fhat thjese pjeoplc would be treated as ordinary applicants. These people would he on a lateral line and the policy of the Board was tliat when sufficient' applications were received from s«ny place to niakie. the erection of a lateral line a payable proposition, such a line would be put in. Mr A.- Ross said that as the Board hn.d practically completed ithe erection of the main lines, the Board •■dioulfj push along the canvass for lateral line subscribers. He suggest-, ed that the people at the Foxton Heads be written to asking as to thi'ir intentions.

Mr Barber said that this did not get over his difficulty. The part he spoke of was the Ladies' Mile at Foxton, where there were a number of houses the owners of which were ratepavers and should be considered. The chairman stated that th,e building of the lateral lines would take aA least 12 months. Thei policy of the Board was to build first those lateral lines which would show the quickest and largest, returns. The others would be built later. Thye people mentioned bv 'Mr Barber had no reason to worry—they would be attended to in due "course. The position now was that when the power became available tiicv would turn it on, on the main lilies. The other lines would eoiiio in as soou as possible. At the beginning of the .scheme a man had gone through the district and noted every house and milking shed along The roads. The Board was guided to a great extent by this plan, but hot alloy-ether, as there had been changes during" the past two years. In answer to a question from Mr Mackay as to whether the engineer could not draw up a plan showing the lateral lines which would pay best, the chairman stated that this could be done by consultation between the Engineer and members for the various localities. &

As tar as the canvassers were concerned they must work the townships along the main lines for tine, present. At these.places no further lines were necessary-—they had the poles on the spot ami could go right ahead. They were assured of ucvenuc. from the township and only after these were served Could they go on with the lateral lines.

Mr Boss asked if there would be any delay owing to- lack of material whjen it came to building the lateral lines.

The chairman stated that arrangements were being made now by the Engineer to get the necessary supply of poles on hand in anticipation of the conunencement Of this work.

Mr thinning stated that he had recently looked over, the work being done at Maiigahaio- a..nd was of the opinion that it was progressing very satisfactorily. He was of opinion that tjhe work would be oomlpleted as soon, as was promised, which was about August, and it would be as well, to have as many lateral lines erected so- that revenue might be received from them as soon a»s power became available.