HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17985, 2 April 1930, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. Mr F. M. Strange presided at the monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board, at which Messrs F. B. Flatt, H. M. Corbett, 11. Torr, J. M. Allen, C. A. Arthur, J. Polilen, J. McCormick and J. Price were also present. Mrs 11. Felton, of Belwood, Okoroire, wrote objecting to power lines going through her property. A similar objection was received from Mr C. N. Boucher, Okoroire. It was decided to make further inquiries. 1 The Bank of New Zealand advised that the bank rate of interest on overdrafts had been increased by i per cent.—Received. The Putaruru Beautifying Society asked for permission to place a small rockery around a power pole. Granted.

The Electric Supply Authority Engineers’ Association notified that the next annual conference would beheld in Wellington at the end of June or early in July.—Received. A letter was received from the Matamata Town Board giving permission to cross the cemetery with a power line.——Received. Financing of Consumers. A letter was read from the Minister of Finance concerning the financing of consumers by Lhe hoard for the installation of electricity on farms, stating that he had again communicated with the Advances Superintendent, who admitted that the installation of electricity on a farm was an acquisition to the efficient working thereof, hut so far as being a mortgagee's asset it was only such after the cost of the installation had been paid for by the mortgagor, lie considered that at least 50 per cent of the installation cost should be paid in cash by the party requesting the installation.

Gr. Price did not consider it a fair proposition that 50 per cent, should be required, while others thought the decision of the Advances Office appeared to be final.

Charges Objected To. Messrs Murphy Bros., Ngatea, wrote protesting against a flat rate being charged on h.p. motor. —Received. The Puriri Ratepayers’ Association wrote stating that the attention of Messrs J. McCormick and F. L. Flatt was being called to the arbitrary charge of £4 per horse-power on milking motors and the charge of os per rnonlh on lights. The association asked the board to keep an eye on overhead costs of all kinds, and -to make an effort to get, the Public Works Department to reduce charges. Increases of salaries and gratuities should be resisled to the utmost.- —Received. B. Wiss, J-likulaia, wrote objecting to the charge on motors. —The matter was left to the manager to reply to.

Manager’s Report.

In his report the manager (Mr R. Sprague) mentioned, inter alia, that a very successful cooking demonstration was held in the Putaruru Town Hall on March 14, over 70 ladies being present. While the demonstrator was in the district she visited a consumer who was having difficulties with her range. The necessity for having a person on the staff who can point out any defect in the range itself, or the operation of same, was most marked on this occasion, and the cause was soon remedied. Quite a number of consumers while on the flat rate have not given their appliances fair wear and tear, owing to unnecessary use. While on the matter of cost of electricity for ranges, consumers in some cases do not bother to work out the actual cost of the range per week or month, but rush hlindfoldedly into the assumption that it is too expensive. One consumer, upon receiving his meter account, immediately purchased a kerosene cooker and used the same for the next period at a cost of Ss per week. Upon lhe cost of the electric range ' being looked into, which o-tso included ironing, etc., it was found that the cost of electricity was only 4s 6cl per week, against the other method at 8s per week, and no consideration made for cleanliness and efficiency. If consumers would carefully peruse the instructions and circulars issued by the hoard from lime to time they would find them of great assistance.

The total number of consumers connected to the board’s main now is 7264, which includes the Thames and Te Aroha Boroughs, Thames consumers totalling 1074 and Te Aroha Borough 640. Twelve mater-heaters, seven electric ranges and five motors on farms have been connected during the month. There arc now connected and operating 104 3 water-heaters, 367 electric ranges, and 2337 motors ,on farms, of which 1880 are 2 horsepower milking motors. The'report was adopted. Engineers’ Report. The engineer (Mr W. G. McLeod) reported in detail on work carired out during the month. He mentioned that a considerable amount ot work had been done in clearing trees during the past month, six days being required for the Waikino-Paeroa line alone. There was still a great ileal of clearing necessary, and consumers could help by seeing that their own properties were clear before the stormy weather set in. Any damage caused by trees was charged to the owner of the trees, but this was no great satisfaction to consumers whose supply of power might have been interrupted. The poles along Maukora Canal became quite loose during the dry wea--ther, and it had been necessary to fill and ram round them. In Ihc peat country near Kaiherc some of the poles were rising out of the ground, and it would be necessary to re-sink them. There xvere two long interruptions of the 50 k.v. supply to Waihou during the month, one on March 21 and the other on March 25. On the latter dale it was 32 minutes before supply was restored. The Public Wo: ks Department had been written to on the matter. On March. 9 the top of a 3oil pole near Major Wilding's, Waiomo, was burnt off, owing lo a bird, which was electrocuted, hanging down and touching the cross-arm. The report was adopted.