TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20415, 9 December 1931, Page 8

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

TIM ARU.

POWER BOARD MEETS. The view that the larger supply authorities receiving electric power from Lake Coleridge should be charged on a sliding scale, in accordance with the maximum demand, was advanced to the South Canterbury Power Board yesterday by the Engineer-Secretary, Mr G. W. Morrison. Tha cost of power to country Boards was raised in connexion with the conference to be held in Christchurch between the Minister for Public Works and representatives of Boards drawing their power supplies from Coleridge, concerning the charge to supply authorities. In a report, the chairman (Mr J. Kennedy) stated that although no definite date had yet been fixed for the reception of a deputation by the Minister, the delegates were being called together so that the subject matter to be covered could be piece-mealed together, and speakers appointed. Every Power Board connected to ■ Lake Coleridge supply would have a suggested system in regard to the cost of bulk supply, but a system that would be very acceptable to the South Canterbury Board would not suit the smaller Boards. He had gone into the matter from all angles with the Engineer-Secretary, and he was of the opinion that the most suitable system so far as the larger Boards were concerned would be a sliding scale in accordance with the maximum demand. The Engineer-Secretary (Mr G. W. Morrison), in an explanatory report, stated that the cost of power from Lake Coleridge, had been a "hardy annual." The Government reply on each, occasion emphasised the fact that its power was being sold on a commercial basis—that is a large turnover at a small profit per k.v.a., and tjiat it made a larger profit from the cheap rate to the larger authorities than it did from tho smaller authorities at the higher rate. This Board was paying exactly the same for a demard of approximately 3000 k.v.a., as it did for a 500 k.v.a. demand in 1925, and in his opinion it was entitled to a sliding scale as follows: — Up to 1000 k.v.a. demand at the rate of £8 per k.v.a. a year, with a reduction at the rate of Is per k.v.a. for every additional 100 k.v.a. up to 3000 k.v.a. 3000 to 5000 k.v.a. at the rate of £7 per k.v.a. a year. ( 5001 to 10,000 k.v.a. at the rate of £6 10s per k.v.a. a year. All over 10,000 k.v.a. at the rate of £6 per k.v.a. a year. If this scale were applied to last year's working, this Board would have saved its consumers the very handsome sum of £1800; the smaller Boards with a demand of less than 1000 lc.v.a., would effect an annual saving of £4OO. The Engineer-Secretary, Mr G. W. Morrison, in his monthly report, stated that the staff had been employed in all districts, overhauling and re-painting transformers, re.-testing consumers' installations, reading meters, trimming back trees, and carrying out general routine work. To improve the voltage of supply in lower High street, Animate borough, the capacity of the circuit was increased.' The , total amount outstanding at : November 30th, 1931, was £2058 14s, 4d; £l2 14s 6d was advanced during November, and £95 17s was repaid during the month. The loans' Unexpended were:—Geral-< , dine area, £10,200; Levels area, £0590; Mackenzie C6unty, £3500; Waimate i County, £8080; Waimate Borough, £'4050; Waihaorunga, £19,300. In view of the present economic conditions it would be advisable to read meters monthly in boroughs, townships, and close settlements, where a small monthly account could be met, whereas a three-monthly one became a burden. This would, of Course, involve considerable extra office work and necessitate the employment of an additional junior elerk. T\his system of meter reading would cover approximately two-thirds of the consumers, and could be carried out by the existing outside staff without impairing its efficiency. Installation letesting would, of course, be held up for approximately one week a month and new work might necessitate employing casual labour. Thq additional eost would bo approximately £IOO per annum. The reports were adopted. The retail value of electrical appliances sold by the South Canterbury Power Board during November was £163 Is Bd, including Timaru £l2l 3s 84; Tomuka £2l 2s 2d; Waimate £8 19s 2d; Fairlie £ll 7s 2d. listeners Complain. • Complaints'of interference with radio , reception *by power lines were contained in petitions signed by eight owners of radio sets in the St. Andrews district and .62 pwnerß living in the Waimate Borough and County, Willowbridge and Morven areas, which were presented by Mr G. Dash to the South Canterbury Power Board yesterday. The chairman, Mr J. Kennedy, said that, the Chief Radio Inspector at Christchurch had recently tested the lines in the. Waimate district and at his suggestion the Board had carried out certain small repairs. He explained that t£e petitions should be forwarded to the Inspector with whom the Board was prepared to co-operate in removing causes of interference. Tht Engineer-Secretary pointed out that the Board had already spent £3O in remedying faults for the benefit of radio set owners, but he contended that it was not tho Board's duty to attend to every small complaint, otherwise the Board would need twice as many men as it now had to test the lines. The Board decidfed to forward* the petitions to the Chief Radio Inspector. 1 Electrical Sub-station. A proposal to invite officers of the Public Works Department to Timaru to inspect the Harbour Board quarry as a possible site to which the Government electrical sub-station on Grant's Hill could be moved,, was submitted to the South Canterbury Power Boaiid yesterday by Mr W. Angland. The motion, which was seconded by Mr C. E. Kerr, was rejected,'only the mover and seconder voting for it. In opposing the motion, Mr H. J. Mathers stated that if the Board wanted the sub-station removed it should concentrate pn having it shifted to the Wash dyke site, which Government experts considered most suitable. Technical College. The monthly meeting of the Timaru Technical College Board of Managers was presided over by Mr A. Stead. It was decided to ask the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) and Mr Clyde Carr, MJP., to address the students on break-up night. The Herbert Smith Trust notified that five miniature cups had been granted as requested. Donations of £1 Is. from Mr H. C. Jfathies&n and £7' 10s from the Canter-

bury Sheepowners' Union were received with thanks. Mr Washer expressed pleasure at the inclusion of an agricultural course in next year's prospectus. He regretted, however, that science had found no place in the curriculum. The Principal (Mr F. L. N. Tuck) said that if such a course was included it would clash with the High School. Mr Washer: We are a Technical School purely and simply. We are not asking what the High School is doing. We are up against that sort of thing all the time. Discussion of the matter was deferred till the February meeting. Accounts amounting to £57 9s lid were passed for payment. The chairman extended to Board members, the Principal, and the staff hi 3 appreciation of, their co-operation during the year, and wished them _ the compliments of the season. Mr Gow expressed appreciation of the work of the staff in upholding the high reputation of the College. Mr Tuck replied on behalf of the staff. Ratepayers' Association. The annual meeting of the North End Ratepayers' Association on Monday evening was presided over by Mr G. H. Andrews. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—President, Mr G. H. Andrews; vice-presidents, Messrs S. H. Sullivan, A. E. Lewis, T. E. Mackry, G. Benstead, G. J. Wallace, C. G. Baker, A. Lamb, and R. J. Eunciman; commit tee, Messrs C. Johnston, E. Watson,- Gs Lewis, W, Wakefield, B. Manning, F. Washbourn, H. Broadhead, F. Lewis, H. Stewart, W. Duncan and E. Darroch; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. M. Parker. The West End Ratepayers' Association wrote congratulating the North End Association on its good work during the year. It was decided to reciprocate the West End Association's greetings. Shortage of Peed. Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., on Monday sent the following telegram to the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, as Minister for Railways:—"Farmers here short of feed, owing to drought conditions; buying chaff for stock. Could you make substantial railage reductions, as previously, for the benefit of individual consignees." Mr Carr received the following reply:—"Am having enquiries made concerning your representation re railage reductions, and will make further reply later.—George W. Forbes." Rural Credits. A conference was held in Timaru between Mr J. Snell, Deputy-Commis-sioner of tho Eural Intermediate Credits Board, Mr John Brown, of Lowcliffe, a member of the Board, and members of the South Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The object of this conference was to enable farmers to obtain the latest information regarding the working of the Rural Intermediate Credits scheme. The conference was not open to the Press, and took the form of a round-table discussion in which members of mercantile houses in Timaru took part. TEMUKA. The committee of the Temuka Progress League met on Monday evening, Mr ~E. Blaokmore presiding- The chairman repprted thai : since the last - meeting the Unemployment Board's subsidy to the New Zealand Insulators, Ltd., Jiad .expired. It happened that the Chairman. of the Unemployment Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) had visited Temuka just at that time. A tour of inspection of the Insulator Works was made by Mr Coates, who had seemed very pleased with the work that was being done, and at the conclusion of the visit he had told the manager of the works to keep open for another week. A few days later a telegram had been received at the works renewing the subsidy for three months. It was decided to have coloured lights in the town for Christmas, and to ask business men to decorate their shop frpnts with greenery. The chairman said that the secretary had ascertained through the stationmaster thiat Mr H. C. Langford had nothing yet to report regarding the reductions in freights, which were being sought. He hoped to have something to report shortly. It was decided to write to Mr Langford asking him to visit Temuka as soon as possible, as much money was being spent on motor-lorry transport. Mr E. J. Nation was elected a member, and Messrs W. Buzart, H. RWoodham, Nation. S, Goddard, W. M. Hulston. and L. F. Robins were formally added to the League's executive. WAIMATE. Mr E. C. Studliolme (president) presided at the monthly meeting of the committee of the Waimate Agricultural and Pastoral Association. N » The confirmation of the date of the. ram fair was held over pending the fixing of the date for the Timaru fair. The interim financial statement for the recent jubilee show disclosed a doficieney of £65 16s 6d; Receipts amounted to £462 4s (live stock entries Ail 69 16s, mercantile exhibits £l3 16s, sideshows £27 14s, sheep-guessing ■£4_4s 6d, .luncheon booth £ls, gates £l7l 14a Gd, special prizes and donations £56 19s), and expenditure to £528 Qs 6d, prize money £353 4s 6d, judges' expenses £2O). The president commented that the deficiency was caused largely as the result of £35 more in prize money and i £4l 10s less for mercantile exhibits. ! Some other expenditure itetas were up ; slightly, which was only to be expected [ in jubilee year. ■ General accounts amounting to £2l 9s 8d were passed for payment. ' Waimate district sheep farmers, dairy farmers, agriculturists, small ' fruit growers, market gardeners, and . home gardeners are all overjoyed with the first appreciable fall of rain in the county for several months. The fact i that indications point to more rain i serves to hearten the people even ■ more. The rain means the revival ot . pasture and consequent alleviation of , the serious feed shortage, especially ir ( rain continues; it means also the revival of crops generally and the possibility of-reasonable success in the sowing of rape and turnips. At the same time great damage has been done to many crops, particularly wheat and oats, and several crops have been fed off. With the drought and late frost, early potatoes .have received a severfe setback which will decrease the yield by about half, but the later varieties should not be greatly affected. The rainfall was general throughout the district.