KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 January 1925, Page 6

KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Kaponga Town Board met last evening. There were present: Commissioners A. R. Bates (chairman), RA Law, .T- Dawson, It. E. Williams, D J Tvelielv, and Messrs A. E. Moss (engineer) and G. P. Cook (clerk). ENGINEER’S REPORT. The electrical engineer (Mr. A. E. Moss) reported as follows: “The plants have run continuously during the month, maintaining a good service. A short piece of fencing wire was thrown across the low tension wires at Riverlea and was responsible for some short stoppages —unfortunately, on a feundaj , when the telephone was not available. It is a very serious matter to interfere in this way, or by breakage of insulators, and if a conviction is obtained lieavv penalties can be asked for. There are several breakages just /it the same place as this wire was found, and I would suggest offering a reward tor information to detect tlie offenders. The Hume pipes have arrived, and the expert pipe-layer has commenced his work. The contractor for excavation is well on time. One standard crossing has been erected to P. and T. requirements : a number of guards to the same standard have to be erected in the month following. As approved by the Electrical Committee, Air. E. Beech has been appointed engineer’s assistant, in place of Air. A. R. Moss, who has resigned to take up a Government appointment.” The report was adopted. Referring to the alternator belonging to the lower power-house, which, after being repaired, had arrived in a damaged condition at the Eltham railway yards, the engineer said he had been advised that the Railway Department had sent the alternator to Petone and was arranging for the mechanical repairs with the 'National Electric Company. Commissioner Keliely offered the opinion that, judging from the departments’ action, it was presumably accepting responsibility for the damage. The engineer agreed, but pointed out shat no official intimation had been received to that effect.

During an ensuing discussion stress was laid upon the extra expense which, owing to the delay in replacing the alternator, the’board had to meet, incontinuing to buy power from outside sources. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to advise the Railway Department of the position and request that the repair work be expedited, as the board intended to submit a claim for compensation respectingfctlie expense involved. Replying to Cr. Keliely, the engineer said lie could not say whether the wire icrosis the low tension wires had been thrown there intentionally. The breaking of the insulators had, howover, apparently been done lyThe matter is to be kept in view and legal action is to be taken against oersons detected interfering with or •aiming damage to the wiring system. TOWN HOUSING. The question of the possible resumption of operations under the town housing scheme was mooted by Or. Kehely, who referred to the shortage if houses in the town, and instanced x number of cases- of residents who might be expected to make applications for loans under the scheme, if the board could arrange for further finance. Other commissioners stressed the eed for relieving the housing shortige, and the clerk was- instructed to •ommunica-te with the- Advances Department with a view to obtaining a further loan. GENERAL. / The request of the Kaponga Tennis Club for the services of the foreman in improving the surface of the courts was declined for the present, owing to important work requiring attention, but it was decided to- suggest that the •lub make arrangements with the foreman for* his services anil his halflays. Cr Keliely intimated that the Rowan Tennis Club had requested the loan of a tarpot, sprayer and roller for tarring vork on the courts. The loan was approved for a period mt exceeding three days. A copy of the proposed regulations is to the use of motor lorries in accordance with the provisions of the Rublic Works Amendment Act was received from the engineer-in-chief, Public Works Department. After consideration it was decided to endorse the protests made by the Egmont County Council. FINANCE. The clerk reported that the revenue for the month amounted to £416 19s lid. Commenting on this, he mentioned that the monthly average receipts during the previous nine months from the sale of electric light and power in the town area was £7O Is 4d, as compared with £6B 5s 2d for the corresponding period of the preceding year. This showed a slight surplus over the estimated receipts.