Private Phones

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 204, 12 August 1927, Page 6

Private Phones

Farmers’ Lines Are Obstructions IN ADVANCE OF HYDROELECTRICITY. DISCUSSION BY H.B, POWER BOARD. On behalf of the subscribers oi the MaraeXaKaho-Kereru private telephone lines, Mr. I*. B. Logan, oi Kereru, wrote to the H.B. Power Board asking li the Board intended to pay the cost, or part oi the cost, of moving the linesThe chairman explained that the matter oi private lines had been discussed at considerable length at the recent Bower board conferences and personally he had discussed the matter with Mr. Kissell, departmental engineer, in \\ edington, who had advised not to pay anything as the Board was not liable. The speaker had instructed the secretary to convey this information to the settlers and advise them that the Board was seeking legal advice. lhe position as regards the Board was that the Post and Telegraph lines were on one side of the road and the private lines were on the other, leaving no place for the Board’s lines. “This letter raises a very big question and one which we must thoroughly look into," he said.

The secretary (Mr. H. H. Wylie) explained the position as regards the Post and Telegraph services and stated that several conferences with the settlers had taken place, but nothing definite had been arrived at. “There are over 50 subscribers on the lines and practically all of them are farmers who seldom use the ’phone between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.," stated Mr. R D. Kettle.

“They could apply to the Post and Telegraph to connect them’ with Maraekakaho and to have the times extended,” pointed out the secretary. “The question of private fines not only in Hawkes’ Bay, but throughout New Zealand, has been given no little attention by the department," stated Mr. H. R. Hounseil electrical engineer to the Post ana Telegraph Department, upon being invited to express his views on the matter. He explained that he had had several conferences with the particular settlers in question and had given .them two or three schemes but all had been turned down. The cheapest scheme would be to join up with the Maraekakaho office but if this was done the department would

require a definite assurance that the settlers would not switch over to Hastings later. At present there was only one line but the department could put in three if a definite assurance was given. He pointed out that the Maraekakaho hours were 9 a.m. to *5 p.m. and the tod fee to Hastings was 4d. “What would be the cost to take it direct to Hastings?” asked Mr G. A. Maddison. The engineer pointed out that at present the exclusive rental was £7 10/-; the new rental to Maraekakaho would be £l3 and to Hastings £45. “Could the department arrange to have the hours at Maraekakaho office extended?” he asked. Upon Mr. Maddison asking if it was necessary for the Board to reticulate in that direction, the chairman explained that it was so. “We are waiting now and they have been given natice to move the lines,” he said.

If the Board thought of making a contribution to the settlers, Mr. M. S. Chambers expressed himself agreeable to such a course. Personally he thought they should again apply to the Hawke s Bay County Council asking for permission to erect me lines on the other side. Mr. T- E. Crosse stated that the County Council was definite in its decision not .to adow two lines. The present ones were old and had been up tor a number of years.

Mr. Hounseil: “They've been up, 1 believe, about li years and deducting 5 per cent, tor wear and tear per year they have done their duty.” “And you owe them a bit," commented Mr. Maddison with a smile.

“From the way 1 see it, we have no legal authority to contribute to the settlers,” stated Mr. Maddison ‘I regret it, but this is one-qf the disadvantages in the advance of hydro-electricity and 1 move that we inform them that we are unable to do anything in the matter. We might advise them to make arrangements with the Post and Telegraph Department if they want a service.”

Mr. J. Phillips seconded the motion, which waS carried-