ELECTRIC POWER

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22636, 15 February 1939, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER

SPRINGS-ELLESMERE BOARD

SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS

The opinion that there would have to be more planning in carrying out the work of the country was expressed, by the chairman (Mr A. E. LangdaleHunt), at the monthly meeting of the Springs-EUesmere Electric Power Board. Recalling that the board had experienced difficulty recently in obtaining licensed wiremen, Mr Hunt asked if any effort was being made generally to assure a supply of men trained as wiremen and linesmen. In reply the engineer-secretary (Mr L. C. Vicary) said that so far as he was aware no provision or special training was available, except to apprentices, for those wbo might wish to enter the trade.

Mr Hunt mentioned that large numbers of young men were going to the public works camps and he could not understand why the attention of some of them was not directed to _ other avenues of work, where more skill was needed and better jobs were available. It seemed to him that there would have to be more planning and direction to the regulating of the supply of workers for the different trades. The Government was now importing carpenters from Australia. A member; But New Zealand carpenters are going to Australia. Without deciding to take any action the board passed on to other business. In his report the engineer-secretary said that the sale of current to domestic and small power consumers had increased by 42,171 units Over the sales for the corresponding period of last year. Sales of current for January amounted to 311,589 units for £1862 4s 6d. The cost of current for the month was £1398 3s 4d. No reply had been received from the Local Government Loans Board about the board’s application for authority to borrow £ 25,000. Another letter will be sent to the Loans Board emphasising the urgent need of funds for replacement work and extensions, and pointing out that the board’s work was practically at a standstill.

RANGIORA DEFENCE CLUB

NINTH % COMPETITION RESULTS

The ninth. club competition over 300 yards and 500 yards was held by the Rangiora Defence Rifle Club during the week-end. Results were as follows: 300 yds 500 yds Hep. Tl.

A. V. Smith .. 50 47 6 103 C. Butters .. 53 48 1 102 W. J. Heney .. 53 47 2 102 J. S. Cook .. 61 45 6 102 C. Humphreys .. 50 45 6 101 s. Thompson .. 49 46 4 99 T. Thompson .. 49 47 2 98 A. Sinclair .. 42 42 14 93 R. Bowman .. 50 46 2 ’ 98 A. Le Petit .. 46 38 10 94 C. James .. 41 44 8 93 A. ‘Lovegrove .. 40 37 16 93