Power Poles

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 3

Power Poles

Sir. —The M.E.D. has recently contracted for hardwood poles to the value of £20,000. As a layman, I am unable to understand why this suostantial amount should be sent out of the country unnecessarily. Why not use concrete poles, made in Christchurch with our own labour, shingle, sand and cement? Some imported reinforcing steel would be necessary but nothing like the money sent out of the country for hardwood. The concrete poles may be higher in initial cost, but, as they would outlast hardwood many times, the cost would be much lower in the long run. Further, concrete poles have a clean, fresh appearance, whereas hardwood looks drab and dirty. Other New Zealand electrical authorities use them, why not the M.E.D.?— Yours, etc., WELL-MADE NEW ZEALAND. June 17. 1960.

[The general manager of the Municipal Electricity Department (Mr G. H. Battersby) said: “It is not considered that the type of pole being used by many country supply authorities in New Zealand is very suitable for city use, and in this respect the other main centres agree with the Christchurch opinion. The electricity committee is, however, deeply interested in obtaining suitable concrete poles and is fostering with several local manufacturers the possibility of using spun concrete poles of the design in common use in England and on the Continent. These could well be constructed to be entirely suitable for city use and would provide the hexagonal or round shapes which would be most acceptable. It would be at least a year before such poles could be manufactured for Christchurch use and the tender recently let covers the necessary hardwood poles for one year.”] ,