ELECTRIC POWER

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 3239, 6 December 1930, Page 5

ELECTRIC POWER

WAIRERE BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The Monthly meeting of the Wairere Power Board was held yesterday at the Board's offices, Pio Pio. Present: Messrs. E. Tolme (chairman), F. Davidson, P. D. Smyth, A. Boddy, G. F. Nelson, C. K. Wilson, M. A. Mackenzie, also Mr. F. Harvey (engineer), and Miss M. Bond (secretary). The following' business was dealt with:— CORRESPONDENCE. The Tangitu District Settlers' Asso ciation advised that the proposed canvas of the area to be reticulated by the executive of the above body was discussed at the half-yearly meeting of the Association. It was decided that the question of a canvas of the area set out in the Gazette notice re ceived from the Wairere Board some time ago be left in abeyance. The Colonial Mercantile Association solicited the business of collecting the Board's overdue accounts. Several members pointed out that this was an important question with the Wairere Board, and while the matter was now dealt with by solicitors, it was thought that possibly the service of the above-mentioned institution might be of assistance. After some discussion, however, no action was decided upon, the letter being received. T. M. Houghton, writing re the proposed Auahi South line extension, which was reported on at last meeting, stated that whilst in sympathy with the project, he thought in view of the present financial depression it would be advisable to hold the matter over until things improve.

Mr. Wilson: That is a sensible view considering the present financial position.

The secretary reported as follows in connection with the above:—"The Board's solicitor was interviewed with reference to the native landowners concerned in this extension, and advised that it would be practically useless to search the titles of these properties owing to so many natives having an interest in each section, and suggested that the Board ask these natives to pay cash for all labour and materials irrecoverable and gel a hire-purchase agreement signed for the balance of equipment installed, such as ranges, motors, etc., also getting an order on the dairy company for regular payments on account of the balance owing."

SECRETARY'S REPORT. The secretary's report for the past month included the following: — Finance: Several installation accounts were placed in the solicitor's hands for collection as instructed by the Board. Receipts for the month of November, 1930, are as follows: Revenue account, £217 lis 2d; Mahoenui loan, £6l 10s 6d; £38,500 loan, £75 9s 4d; total, £354 lis. Pio Pio Dairy Company.—A reply had been received from the Electric Power Boards' Association notifying the Board that the executive had decided not to take any steps in this matter "as it is considered that owing to the doubtful legality of the method of charging for current on h.p. demand, no general good would come of taking up the test case, but that the Association would direct its attention to an amendment of the regulations with a view to eliminating this weakness." "Following enquiries from residents of the Maraetaua district," reported the engineer, "a meeting was held and a preliminary canvas and survey of a proposed extension along the Te Kuiti Road was made. Three / and ahalf miles of three-phase line, with 60 chains of single-phase branch lines, would be required at an approximate cost of £BOO, and eleven possible consumers would be served, six of whom were interviewed. "This extension would have the advantage of bringing the Board's lines to their boundary and within about two miles of the Waitomo Board's lines," the engineer stated. The chairman explained that these settlers were out of the Board's original inner area, but were in the Board's district. Mr. Nelson: Then a loan would have to be raised.

Members were favourably disposed towards the scheme, Mr. Smyth remarking "that it would be extending the power towards Te Kuiti." A special meeting of the Board will be held on Saturday next to discuss a number of matters that have been held in abeyance, chiefly in connection with finance and extensions.