ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 3, 19 December 1945, Page 11

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

MEETING IN LOWER HUTT

RURAL RETICULATION COUNCIL.

The last meeting of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board was attended by Messrs H. Green (chairman), J. Purvis, A. Walker, S. Blackley, R. W. Botha:mley, J. B. Yaldwyn, J. Huggan, H. S. Pudding, J. W. Andrews, P. Dowse, G. L. Giesen and J. J". Maher; also "the secretary, Mr. H. E. Mcßain, and the general manager, Mr. I. R. Robinson. Notification was received of the passing of the Electricity Act, the object of which was to establish a State Hydro-electric Department and a Rural Electric Reticulation Council. The council desired informal tion regarding the number of rural lines involved, the subsidy required, and the capital cost of lines. It was explained that the council wduld consist of the general manager of the department, (who would be chairman), an officer of the department, and three persons to be appointed-by the Minister on the recommendation of the executive committee of the Electric Power Boards Board. The functions of the council were: — (1) To control and administer funds; (2) fix the rate of levy payable by electrical supply authorities; (3) determine the amount of subsidies; (4) advise the Government. The Progressive Business Men's Association was notified that its application for extra Christmas lighting could not be approved. Local Bodies Pleased Mr. Andrews, said that local bodies were pleased by the board's increase in power for street lamps in the northern areas. The Lowe£ Hutt City Council granted the board the use of the council offices for the payment of accounts until the board's new offices were available. In reply to Mr. Blackley, who suggested making the Town Clerk responsible, Mr. Robinson said the arrangement made was, a good one and they were greatly indebted to the City Council. The board's office handled about £14,000. Mr. Andrews said the arrangement would save the board a lot of money. The arrangement was approved. The annual payment on the loan of £130,000 was increased from £1300 to £2302 a year, so that the loan would be paid off by maturing date. The Electricity Controller notified that from January 6, 1945, the allocation of power will be five per cent higher than in previous years. It was hoped that next year there would not be as many -restrictions on the use of power as last year. Members expressed gratification at the announcement, and the,general manager was instructed to go into the matter of allocations. It was considered that the board had been treated very well by the department*. Guarantee for Power The secretary of the Kaitoke Farmers' Progress League wrote that there would be no difficulty In obtaining the required guarantee for t>ower installations at Kaitoke. The Public Works Department agreed to pay £300 for the waterworks scheme at Kaitoke. When a notification was received from the Minister of Public Works that owing to the serious shortage of timber the position regarding concrete poles should be investigated, the engineer said that if the sales ; tax was taken off concrete poles they would be an attractive proposition, j The board had fair stocks of poles, so the matter was not urgent. — "" 1