WOOD OR CONCRETE.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19878, 6 May 1936, Page 9

WOOD OR CONCRETE.

MERITS OF POWER POLES. ‘ iRONBARK FAVOUBED. (Special Reporter.) ,TE AROI-lA, Tuesday. Whether it would be an economical step for the board to replace wooden with concrete poles was a question asked by Mr F. J. Man at a meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at ’i‘e Aroha to—day‘ l—ie con—sidered that the maintenance savings brought about by the use of concrete poles would be considerable, particularly as supply authorities would shortly be able to secure cement and materials at a cheaper rate. ' The engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod. said he had drawn out a comparison of the costs and utility of concrete, steel and wooden poles. and exhaustive investigations had shown that the ironhark pole proved most satisfac—tory and reasonable. The Government ‘resulations provided for a factor of [safety of two, but in other countries ’the minimum was 3% and he personsliy_ preferred the higher figure. He pointed out that the concrete poles, with a low safety factor, would bend beyond the margin and would allow moisture to enter the material. Eventually the pole would crack and break. It was a fallacy to suggest that the concrete poles were everlast—ing, as maintenance was required ‘ Replying to Mr W. C. Kennedy, the chairman, Mr J. Price, said that the ‘ironbark poles purchased by the board were subject to Government inspection before leaving Australia, and a further check was provided in the power given the board to refuse unstilttlllle consignments. lie added that all the it'onhark poles were doSiiDDCtL