ELECTRIC POWER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 82, 18 March 1933, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER

THE CENTRAL H.B. BOARD BUSINESS OF THE MONTH (Special Representative.) The monthly meeting of the Central Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board was held at Waipukurau yesterday, the chairman (Mr A. C. Russell) presiding over Messrs W. H. Rathbone, A. C. Holms, A. W. S. Longley, R. A. Fraser, C. Pattison, F. J. Witherow and J. A. Kerr. Messrs. G. E. Fowler (secretary-manager), and J. K. Lee /resident’engineer) were also in attendanea.

Writing in reply to a letter from the hoard stressing the fact that it was only fair that county power boards should receive bulk energy at a price similar to that charged by the department to cities, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) stated that the board’s views would receive full consideration. ‘‘That’s encouraging as far as it goes. Before, we have never even got that far,” said Mr Witherow. BULK SUPPLY CHARGES. The following resolutions, carried by nine Auckland district power boards, were forwarded by the Waitomo Power Board: “That this meeting is of the opinion that some relief is essential in bulk-supply rates and makes the following suggestions for effecting a reduction.—(a) Reduction in price per k.v.a. of a first 200 k.v.a. per annum; (b) charge per k.v.a. per quarter to be based on the average of three monthly peaks per quarter, each peak to last 30 minutes. (c) The Public Works Department to pass on to supply authorities any savings in interest reductions consequent on conversion of its loans on the hydro-electric schemes; (d) the suspension of depreciation on the Public Works Department hydroelectric schemes for three years (the savings in depreciation to be passed on to the supply authorities). Clauses (a) and (b) received the Central Hawke’s Bay Board’s unanimous support. Mr Holms moved, and Mr Witherow seconded, that clause (c) be supported. “I will vote against it. The Government is making every endeavour to meet its obligations,” said Mr Fraser. Continuing. Mr Fraser said that while the Government was harassed as it was at the present time, he did not consider that local bodies should ask for such an unreasonable concession. Whilst on one hand the public bodies were asking the Government to make savings wherever possible, on the jtlicr hnnd they were practically asknrn '• to give money away. Mr Holms did not think that Lhe board should go against lhe opinions of nine other boards, whose opinion )■<■ considered was worthy of consideration. In lhe event of concessions being given on clauses (a) and (b), Mr Rath-

bone suggested, clause (c) should not be pressed. Mr Holms then withdrew his motion in favour of the previous speaker’s suggestion.

Speaking to clause (d), Mr L'attison said he would not support it, as he thought it thoroughly unsound, “It might be unsound in normal times, but at the present time, it might be of service to the country,” said Mr Holms. “The nine boards have apparently given full consideration to the question, and I can not see any grounds at this juncture fo r taking exception to the clause.” He then moved that the clause be supported. However, after further discussion Mr Pattison moved, and Mr Fraser seconded, that clause (d) be not supported. This was carried. POWER LINE INTERFERENCE. Messrs Beckett and Cato, Takapau, wrote stating that radio interference by power-line leakages was still verybad. The writers had found it’ almost impossible to demonstrate radio sets during the past few weeks, because the noise was so excessive. There was a very serious leakage in the township in the vicinity of Mr 11. Dunn’s shop. The writers had been demonstrating a set, but the power leakage was so intense that they had been compelled to remove the set. Continuing, the letter stated: ‘‘ln the presence of two of our staff Mr Dunn stated that a representative of a Waipukurau firm of electricians who also handle radio goods stated to Mr Dunn that if he (Mr Dunn) ordered a radio set from them he would stop the power-line noises within one hour. Now, we maintain that if he can do this the Power Board’s workmen should be able to sileneo the objectionable noises referred to just as quickly as any other electrician. This sort of thing should bo checked immediately in the interests of all concerned. Anything you.can do for us to silence this particular fault at Dunn’s corner will be appreciated by us very much indeed. We have sent a copy of this letter to the local radio inspector.” The chairman asked whether the board was to be continually sending out members of its staff to locate the leaks, whilst the department, which collected the revenue, did nothing. He thought that the matter should be taken up by the Government and the responsibility defined. The staff members were doing their best, and the matti r was costing the board money. It was quite all right for the board to correct the faults; but should the staff go round the country at all hours endeavouring to locate them? The secretary-manager mentioned that the board ’ had been inundated with complaints during the past two months, and said that as theio was no proper authority to whom the radio user could complain, the board was forced to bear the full brunt. Mr Holms contended that the matter was one that, should be referred to the Power Boards’ Association. After further discussion, Mr Holms’ suggestion was embodied in a motion, which was carried. GENERAL MATTERS. A letter was received from the Society of Motor Manufacturers expressing its appreciation that the board had purchased a British truck—Received. The chief electrical engineer, Wellington, reporting a recent inspection of the lines in the board’s territory, stated that certain trees required cutting back where they were making contact with the lines.—Received. Advice that in the terras of the National Expenditure Adjustment. Act the rent of the board’s polo site had been reduced 20 per cent as from April 1, 1932, was received from the Railway Department. —Received.