SHORTAGE OF POWER POLES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF POWER POLES

USE OF BLUEGUM DISCUSSED *ls there no possibility of using bluegum poles if they are procurable in the district?” asked Mr H. Neave, at the monthly meeting of the SpringsEllesmere Power Board, after several applications for connexion to the supply had been considered. Some of the applicants pleaded hardship through ill-health and physical disability. Through lack of steel for reinforcing the board had been obliged to discontinue the making of concrete poles and supplies of hardwood poles from Australia were very difficult to obtain. Mr Neave added that he could see little prospect of much improvement in the supply of imported poles, or of steel for concrete pole making for a long period. There were plantations in the district which would, ne thought, yield suitable bluegum poles and in view of the acute position that had arisen some owners would probably release the standing timber. While bluegum poles were possibly satisfactory as a temporary measure for carrying low tension lines, said the engineer (Mr W. N. Rasmussen), he thought there was an element of danger in their use for high tension. The board was down to bedrock in regard to concrete ndles and there was no reinforcing steel on hand. Mr R. T. McMillan said he regretted that the board had reached a position where it was considering suspending its practice of using only concrete poles for high tension, but the urgency was suqh that he would reconynend a trial of concrete poles without, rein- ; forcemen tas an experiment. “Our waiting list is growing from month to t month and something must be done about it,” added Mr McMillan. It was agreed on the motion of Mr W. Cole that the engineer should make inquiries about the availability of bluegum trees and of lighter gauge steel rods than had been used in the past fflt; reinfarcing concrete. •:~A’ request from Paparua County CounciDfor an extra street light at the corner of King and Bailey streets, Templeton, was granted.