HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

Shannon News, 4 June 1929, Page 4

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

BUSINESS OP THE MONTHLY MEETING. . Following the annual meeting of the Horowhenua Power Board, on Tuesday, the monthly meeting was held, all the members being present. Secretaries’ Conference. An invitation was received for any member of the Board to attend the Power Boards' Secretaries' Conference which is being held in Wellington this week. Civil Engineers’ Society. The N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers wrote thanking the Board for the facilities given to enable its engineer to take part in the meeting of the Society held in February. —Beceived. Ratunati Beach Requirements. Mr. L. A. Eatwell, Kawatere Store, Eaumati, wrote asking if the Board could give him any further information regarding the prospects of that locality being supplied with electricity in the tear (future, as the settlement .was growing rapidly. In February he forwarded to the Board a petition signed ■ by a number of property-owners; that was the second petition sent in, and was about twice the size of the first. In the event of the current being supplied, he would instal eight or nine lights, water-heater, extension to milking shed, and an electric stove. There ‘ were three houses next to his, and three more were to be erected in the spring. Since the petition was forwarded, two more residents had asked him to add. their names; at least 21 houses were waiting for installations, to say nothing of those which would be built ■pext summer. The secretary (Mr. P. W. Goldsmith) reported that he had replied to the letter, stating that it was hoped that the Board would soon be able to supply the demand referred to, that the engineer (Mr. J. A. Smith) visited the locality after the last petition, but that Mr. Eatwell was then absent, and the engineer would make another visit shortly, when the matter could perhaps be further advanced. The engineer stated that he had seen Mrs. Eatwell and explained the position. The properties requiring the current were very scattered; most of the buildings - were two and three-roomed cottages situated in various places among the sandhills. The only "way to serve them would be to reticulate the sections facing the beach and those facing Renown Road. He was trying to obtain from the Hutt County Council the names of all the owners, so that the Board could get an easement • to run the necessary line between the two rows of sections. When this information was available, he would secure an estimate. There had previously been an estimate, but the revenue offered at that time was nowhere / near what was required. In answer to a question by Mr. W. E. Barber, the engineer'stated that the supply would have to be brought from Matai Road to Renown Road, a distance of about 40 chains, and then distributed. Mr. Barber said that if electricity ‘ could be supplied <to the beach settlement, it would provide an encouragement for people to go there. The chairman: If they can get the electricity there, the sections will sell more readily. Mr. Barber: That is all right, if we can sell the "juice.'' ; The chairman: As long as we can get the necessary guarantee before it goes there. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by' Mr. Petherick, it was left to the engineer to bring down an estimate, to be ieady for the next meeting if possible. Treasurer’s Report.

The following report for the past month was presented by the treasurer, and was adopted: — Accounts. Since the Board last met (actually on the Ist instant) the sum of £3171 was deposited with the ‘Public Trustee, the Board's depreciation fund commissioner. This means that the full amount set aside for a depreciation fund to March 31st last has been invested and, is bearing, interest. Further payments have been made since last Board meeting to the extent of £78,0 14s lid. This , amount is accounted for under the headings of wages, salaries, benzine, etc., also a payment of £126 for T.B. wire obtained at a special rate. To be passed to-day there are accounts totalling £470 19s lid. The largest ,of these are for meters, ranges, and water-heating elements. The total amount to pass is not quite so large as is usual, but there is a half-yearly payment for interest, etc., in connection with a £40,000 loan from the Government Life Insurance office, due on May 31st, the amount being £1350 16s sd, so that this payment will make the pay-sheet assume the usual proportions. Cash Receipts. The returns for the month of April appear to be satisfactory and are in advance of receipts for the same month in previous years, so that the financial new year has apparently got a fair start. The following table shows the amounts received under the different headings:— April, 1929.

Estimates for 1929-30. It will be necessary at the next meeting to frame' estimates for the year in accordance with Section 55 of "The Electric Power "Boards' Act, 1925." Statutory Land Charges Registration Act, 1928. Under this 'Act, charges on land to

! which the Act applies are to be made with the District Land .Registrar or the Registrar of Deeds, and, to be effective, registration must be made during the present /year. Steps are now being taken to make the necessary registrations where it is necessary to secure the Board's position in respect to certain electrical installations which arc a charge upon the land. Danger from Trees.

Mr. Barber reported on the matter of trees on Mr. Robt. Moore's property, Ladies' Mile, Foxton, which had been referred to Mr. R, Bryant and himself to investigate. The result was a communication from Mr. Moore, who "was away from home during the visit of inspection, stating 'that it was in the hands of the Board to deal with the matter. Three or four trees were in

very perilous position, and might come down on the Board’s line in the event of a heavy gale from ,a certain quarter. He recommended that these trees be removed.

On the motion of Mr. Blenkhorn, seconded by Mr. Barber, it was decided that the engineer have authority to take down trees on Mr. R. Moore’s property, Ladies' Mile, Foxton, such trees at present being a menace to the Board's line.

Electricity £ s 5404 16 a 11 Penalties 17 10 2 Sundries 68 16 2 Sundry debtors for installations, etc. 502 17 ii Interest on installations 14 18 6 Total £6008 19 8