EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

POWER BOARD MEETING. (“Times-Age” Special.) At the monthly meeting of the Tararua Electric Power Board, Mr J. D. Wilson presided. The Secretary-Manager stated that the electricity sales for December, 1938, amounted to £2460, while for the same month of the previous year they were £2512, the decrease being in the industrial load in the country districts.

Mr Taylor stated that there was an increase of 38 per cent, for 1938 in the number of Id units sold. Electricity cost I.oBd and return 1.22 d. The fall was through decreasing the rate to the penny customer. He thought they ought to make a profit on electricity to enable them to reduce the cost of appliances. Mr Taylor said the Wairarapa Power Board were supposed to be much cheaper with their sales but he had used their rate to check up in his own house and it was only eightpence better for the month than their own rate.

It was- decided that the resolution accepting a tender for alterations to the Eketahuna Power Board’s premises be rescinded.

It was resolved that the electrification of the inspector’s house at Pongaroa be proceeded with at a cost of £65 also that a septic tank be installed. The Engineer, Mr D. Fraser, reported as folows: An exceptionally heavy storm was experienced on January 5, and at 3 a.m. the No. 2 South 11 K.V. feeder switch opened. The fault was traced to a Kelman switch on the 4pole structure at Mangamaire. The switch was disconnected and the line was clear at 5.30 a.m. The Kelman switch controlling the Mauriceville district also opened at 10.50 a.m. The lines were patrolled and the switch reclosed at 11.30 a.m. On January 20, a terrific lightning storm blew the H.T. fuses controlling the Eketahuna substation at 11 a.m. At the same time the Kelman switch controlling the Alfredton feeder opened and a patrol of the line showed 23 H.T. fuses shattered by the lightning; these were replaced and uie power restored the same afternoon. Alterations to the 3300-volt lines at Parkville are being carried out. The L.T. lines on the Alfredton Road were extended to the Domain to supply light and power to the new camping grounds. Seven new service lines have been erected and two of the existing ones changed from two to four-wire. December proved an exceptionally busy month owing to the numerous interruptions. At times every available member of the staff was called out. The Board's serviceman at Pongaroa 'Mr R. McGregor) reported as follows: "Fourteen houses have been wired tested and had meters installed in each case. Three contractors are now working on the wiring of the houses and business premises and there is a good prospect of a fourth contractor starting in the new year. Lack of space for office work and the storing of permanent records, proves a considerable handicap at present, but as I will be going into residence on or about January 9 the position will be somewhat relieved.”

The report was adopted, the secre-tary-manager reporting that Mr McGregor had gone into residence on January 9.

CRICKET MATCH. WIN FOR PAHIATUA BRIGADE. The Eketahuna and Pahiatua fire brigade teams met at Eketahuna on Saturday afternoon, when the visiting team won by nine wickets. Scores: Eketahuna, first innings, 50 (P. Payne 15, Mountjoy 13, H. Smith 13; R. Dungan 5 for 22, Bradbury 3 for 17); second innings, 27 (P. Payne 12; Dungan 8 for 11).

Pahiatua Fire Brigade: First innings, 68 'G. Jones 23; W. Leith 5 for 27. P. Payne 3 for 23); second innings, one wicket for 10.