HUTT POWER BOARD

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 108, 7 May 1926, Page 9

HUTT POWER BOARD

4000 CONSUMERS AND NEARLY 10,000 K.W. CONNECTED LOAD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board was held yesterday. Present, Mr. J. "W. M* Ewan (chairman), and Messrs. A. J. Hobbs, W. H. P. Barber, G. Lawrence, E. Windley, H. Jay, A. "W. Press, A. J. M( Curdy, A. "Walker, and H. Foley. In regard to a complaint from the trustee of the estato of James Walker re lines on the property, it was decided |to reply that the board would remove the lines when called upon. The erection of two street lights in the Upper Hutt Borough was approved, subject to the engineers certifying that the lights could be put on the existing reticulation. The board's solicitors, Messrs. Findlay, Hoggard, and' Morrison, gave the board a lengthy opinion on claims made on the board for lines running through privato property. The opinion was that damages could not be claimed, but only compensation. It was decided to take no action in regard to these claims until a formal claim was made, and then the board would defend' the claim. Applications were received from Mr. J. Mitchell and Mr. Course for street lights on private property. The applications were referred to the engineer for a report in regard to the cost of current, applicants to pay for the installations ' and maintenance. The application of the Petone Boroough Council for a Petone office for tlu board for the convenience of consumers to pay their accounts, was referred to the executive for report. The Spiral Pipe Company stated that the company regretted that its works were about to be dismantled, and therefore it would not be able to tnke any further current. Mr. M'Curdy said he took great exception to the statement of the Hpiral Pipe Company that the company had not been able to find a suitable location in the Hutt Valley, a valuable location having been offered at Upper Hutfc at a peppercorn rental. The application of the Eastbourne Borough Council for lighting for the local recreation ground was referred to the engineer and the Technical Committee with power to act. A deputation from Ohariu Valley waited on the board and offered a joint and several guarantee to the board for 12J per cent, on the cost or the reticulation of the district. The speakers were Messrs. Bryant and 1. Bruce. The board stated that immediately the guarantee was signed and approved by the. board, the line would be commenced. The application of the Wellington Cordage Company for current for motors waa referred to the engineer for report. The Wainui-o-Mata. Ratepayers' Association drew attention to the danger to motorists from the glare of a street light. The matter was referred to the engineer for report. An application for a supply line to Horokiwi Valley was referred to the engineer to see if a guarantee could bo obtained. The members of the board accepted an invitation to be present at a farpwell to the chairman (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) to be held in Petone. It was decided to ask the Public. Works Department what was holding up the report on the supply of current to Trentham Camp, and also to ask the Defence Department if that Department could hasten the matter. The tender of Mr. Fisher for the erection of the Taita sub-station was accepted. The report of the canvass of Pukerun Bay was received, and showed a doficiency of the amount of revenue forthcoming before the board could construct the line. The board's authority was given for the commencing of the line to Takapau road. y The annual meeting of the board, at which the election of chairman takes place, was fixed for 13th May. The engineer, Mr. E. Bickerstaff, reported that the maximum demand was 1372 k.v.a. for the week ended 3rd April, and 12997 k.v.a. for the wcclt ended 30th April. The railway work shops had gone off the board's system. The board had now 402G consumers, as against 15G0 a year ago. The total connected load was 9985 k.w. There were now 176 ranges installed, against 17 a year ago, and 18 dairy plants, all installed during the year. Inspector Taylor reported that 3G4 consumers had been added during Mareh.^and April—272 in the eastern area and 92 in the western area, On the motion of Mr. E. Windley it was decided to hold a demonstration at Porirua. '