MARLBOROUGH NEWS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 20

MARLBOROUGH NEWS

MEETING OF POWER BOARD DISCUSSION ON CHARGES TO CONSUMER TO THE rB.VSS.\ BLENHEIM, February 20. The monthly meeting of the Marlborough Power Board was held yesterday, Mr H. J. Stace presiding. A motion of sympathy and condolence with the relatives of the late Mr C. Goulter was carried. It was decided to call tenders for a new motor-truck to replace the present one which was worn ouc. The managing engineer, Mr G. F. MacLcan. reported that 12 new consumers were connected up during the period, the total now being 2806, and three motors had been connected, making the total motor load now 1962 hcrse-power. Repair to the base of the spillway wtre finished, and dredging operations were carried out. The repairs to the base of the spillway had cost £1713. less £IOO approximately for cement and shingle held for other work. The deleting of the minimum charges so that consumers will be charged for the actual amount of current used caused some heated arguments, and it was eventually decided that the matter be deferred until the whole tariff question was reviewed. The engineer reported that during the last few months the lake at the headworks had been filling rapidly with rubbish, and storage had practically disappeared. The depth at the dam was reduced to 17 feet, and to «?i2ht feet a few chains up from the dam. The lower screens were now again clear, but should they become blocked during the winter months the board would require to run a standby plant to assist a hydro-station to overcome the difficulty. It would be advisable to have a steel flue made for another intake at a cost of approximately £2lO. The storage capacity having disappeared, the only possibility would be to have a sluice-gate in trie dam, but as this would probably block with rubbish and logs, it would be necessary to have a standby plant large enough to take a load while the gate was being cleared. The cost of the extra standby plant with increased transformer capacity would be approximately £20,000. It was decided that the whole matter be fully discussed at the next meetins. Aero Club A meeting of the Marlborough Aero Club was held this evening, Mr A. A. McNab presiding. A motion of condolence was carried with Mr 11. R. Dix, the club's first president, in the recent death of his wife. The Wairarapa and Nelson Clubs forwarded details of the North and South Island pageants. It was decided to support the Westport Federated Aero Club's application for an art union to raise funds for general club purposes. During the last month there was only 19 hours' flying because of the holidays and unfavourable training conditions. Cricket At the Marlborough College grounds this afternoon a friendly cricket match was played between a team from H.M.S. Diomede, now at Picton, and a team of college masters and pupils. The Diomede team won the match. Building: Society The Marlborough Co-operative Building Society held an auction this evening at the Masonic Hall. In the No. 1 group £SOO was taken at £l7 per £IOO. and in the No. 2 group £3OO at £35 per £IOO. A ballot in both groups will be made on March 27. Personal Captain T. J. Watts, genera] secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association, arrived this evening, and is staying at Barry's Hotel. Mr J. R. Mac Queen arrived back from Wellington this evening. Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., who is visiting Blenheim, is a guest at the Criterion Hotel.