POWER BOARDS CONFERENCE.

Shannon News, 24 August 1926, Page 3

POWER BOARDS CONFERENCE.

INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE REMITS. Tile conference of Power Boards, held in Wellington on 1 July 22nd, was productive of much good, according to the observations of Mr G. A. Monk, chairman of the Hoirowhenua Power Board, at the last meeting of that body. About 43 power authorities, represented by over 100 delegates, were present. One matter broached was the question as to whether a board, having loian money in hand, could be permitted to je-lend the money at interest to another local body. Apparently, said the chairman, some boards had no authority to do this, and there were some slight complications. Another important remit dealt with the 5 per cent, concession given by the Government for power taken from the Horahora works. The Thames Valley Power Board had always received this rebate for prompt payment, a fact which had caused a certain amount of discontent among other boards, particularly in thi£ district, and year by year remits had been submitted by various boards to do away with this allowance. Considerable discussion ensued at the conference, the remit being very much opposed by the Public Works Department, but ultimately a resolution was passed to the effect that on expiry of existing contracts throughout the various districts, a uniform charge will be made tot authorities purchasing current. Because Mangahao was more expensive to puit in, that was no reason why the connected with it should be penalis-'* ed, any more than those South Is- . land railway lines that failed to pay should have higher passenger and freight rates than the profitable North Island lines. The Lake Coleridge people had been getting their power at a considerably less rate than Horowhenua, so the Government brought forward the idea of uniformity when present contracts were expired.

WAIKAREMGANA. The question of Urging the Governmen to proceed with Waikaremoana, was discussed, but after Mr Kissell, Chief Government electrical’Engineer, had explained the position, stating the work there was to be pushed on so that current would be available by 1930, no further action was taken. It was expected hat the top dam at Mangahao, together with existing standby plants, would be able to supply a total of 30,000 horsepower. As expected, or hoped, it • should supply all that would be required. It was emphasised that all who had existing contracts would be given preference. It would, thus, be seen that the Hawkes Bay people should be served with power from , Waikaremoana within four years. STANDARDISED' ADVERTISING. A proposal which came from the Electrical. Traders’ Association promoted no little discussion. It was ! suggested that power . authorities should collaborate with the Association with a view to arriving at a uniform method , of advertising throughout New Zealand. Allocating the cost was a subject which received some attention, but, apparently, . there were no representatives willing to commit their boards to any expenditure. Particularly was that so in the case of Hoirowhenua, which found it had exceeded its allocation of power, and where there was no need for extensive propaganda. The proposition was to be submitted to a committee as to what method shall be adopted, while the executive of the Power Boards Association will submit to the various boards the method of payment. It meant that, if a board stood out if still reaped the benefit, so it would be necessary to submit some scheme whereby a board is forced, in some measure, to take up any particular advertising stunt as may be considered necessary. Christchurch had gone into the matter, and a wonderful difference had ensued in the sale of household appliances. The Electrical Traders’ Association felt that the Boards were reaping the benefit, and wanted them to bear some of the cost. An estimate of the cost would be submitted later. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. Valuable reports had been broughtdown by the Engineers’ and- Seoretar- ' ies Associations, and much of the work executed by the main conference had arisen from the findings of the two bodies mentioned. Quite a number of these recommendations were endorsed and would, no doubt, prove helpful to office staffs. With their -expert technical knowledge, they .were doing more for power authorities than were the parent bodies themselves. , ACCIDENT LIABILITY. In relation to the problem of liability for accident, the present regulations were so framed as to place the onus of an accident upon the supply authority. It was now proposed to put a goodly proportion of it on to the consumer. About two years ago there was a case in which a leakage in a cord had found its way to a circular saw, and a workman was killed, the supply authority being held responsible. This subject had been hammered at for the last 12 months, and it was hoped that the Boards would secure legislation relieving them of a 'good deal of the liability.