ELECTRIC POWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 70, 14 June 1927, Page 9

ELECTRIC POWER

WAITEMATA BOARD COMPARISON OF LOANS The Waitemata Electric-Power Board met yesterday. There were present the chairman (Mr. J. W. Hayden), and Messrs. W. E. Thompson, J. Mackie. A. F. Greenslade, W. Leighton. G. Trevithick. 11. Bay and S. E. Kennings. The Takapuna ex-Service Men s Club wrote asking that returned soldiers be given preference in employment. The board decided to refer the question to the engineer for favourable consideration, with a direction that married men with large families should also receive a preference. LINESMEN’S ASSISTANTS The Auckland Employers’ Association wrote in connection with the Arbitration Court’s decision that workers previously engaged with linesmen as labourers should be considered as linesmen’s assistants. The letter suggested that action should be taken to remove local bodies from the scope of awards. The engineer stated that it would mean paVing 20 men 5s a week retrospective pay over the past six months. Mr. Mackie asked why the decision should be retrospective. It was decided that the letter be received, but no action should be taken. The New Lynn Town Board wrote protesting against an account for 12s Sd received from the Power Board. The engineer stated that the account had been sent to bring the question of damage to street lamps before the board. The board agreed to withdraw the account. ENGINEER’S REPORT The engineer reported that the reticulation of Park Road, Titirangi, would be begun in about a week’s time. A preliminary survey of the Kaukapakapa line had been made and a shorter route across country decided on to avoid the detour round Mount Hex. An increase of 227 consumers was shown in the May returns. The board’s customers on May 31, 1927. consisted as follows: New Lynn-Honderson area .. .. 1,120 Helensville and country’ area . . 301 Takapuna, Northcotc, Birkenhead 1.162 Devonport 1,866 Total 4,449 The following additional industrial load was to be expected during the next lew months on the North Shore: Devonport pumping . . . . SO-100 h.p. Timber mill and joinery works 100 li.p. Brickyards 33 h.p. THE BABY BOARD The secretary’ in his report reviewed the progress of the board in his two years of service. The position of the board’s number of consumers, compared with other power boards, was as follows:

From these figures it would be seen that if the present rate of new consumers is maintained, the board would probably be the third larges: power board in New Zealand in 12 months’ times. The secretary's report was adopted.

Consti- Con- Amount of tuted. Burners. Loan. £ 1922 Auckland .. .. 38,498 2,025.500 1919 Southland .. .. 6,995 1,650,000 1921 Wanpanui-Ra-ngitikei .. .. 5,880 475,000 1922 Hutt Valley .. 5.670 240.000 1920 Thames Valley 4.694 700,000 1925 Waite mat a . . 4,449 261,000