WAITOMO POWER BOARD

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3446, 22 March 1932, Page 5

WAITOMO POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Waitomo Electric Power Board was held yesterday in the Board's offices. Present: Messrs. W. A. Lee (chairman) V. W. Simms, E. T. Gorton, J. N. Boddie, W. S. Cato, T. M. O'Connell, W. Irvine, W. F. Seeker (secretary) and N. A. Davidson (engineer).

Charges on Crown Properties.

A letter was received from the Wanganui Power Board regarding properties which have reverted to the Crown and the question of registered charges for electrical installations by Power Boards. The letter stated that a legal opinion had been obtained on this matter some time ago, this opinion being that such a charge upon the land was not affected if the Crown exercised its rights as mortgage, but this had not been supported by the Crown Law Office and the State Departments, which declined to recognise any obligations regarding unpaid balances on electrical installations. A copy of a further legal opinion enclosed with the letter stated that the statutory land charges act of 1928 protects Power Boards in such matters by seeking a declaratory charge against the land for any unpaid balances before the Crown disposes of such land. The Wanganui Board suggested that the executive of the Power Boards' Association make a test case and have the matter settled.

The chairman stated these charges could not be looked upon in the same way as rates. A Power Board can recover under certain conditions, and it would be well to have these made clear. Mr. Simms said that it was a matter for the Power Boards' Association, and they should support the recommendation of the Wanganui Board to make a test case on the first opportunity. On the motion of Mr. O'Connell it was decided to support the suggestion. Flat Charge Wanted. The Agricultural Lime Company asked that a clause in the agreement between the company and the Board, providing for a decrease or increase in charges for power in conformity with any possible fluctuations in charges for bulk supplies by the Public Works Department, be deleted and a flat charge made for the whole term.

The chairman stated that to make a flat charge was something of a gamble, for past experience had shown that anything might happen regarding charges by the Public Works Department. The engineer pointed out that there was a five year's agreement with the Public Works Department, and it was not likely that any changes in bulk power prices would be made till that agreement had expired. Mr. Simms: "The Government can break any agreement it cares to; the pooling of the exchange is an example of this. lam not in favour of any change in the agreement. There may be another breakdown at Arapuni, and the Board might find itself in a bad position. Mr. Gorton then proposed, and Mr. Simms seconded, that the clause remain in the agreement. On a show of hands the chairman declared the motion lost. A motion, proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr. O'Connell, that the clause be deleted, was declared carried.

Power Interruptions. When dealing with the engineer's report, Mr. Simms asked why the power had been cut off on Sunday afternoon. The lack of power in the sheds at milking time was a very serious thing for the farmers. Last Sunday the power did not come on until 4.30 p.m. Mr. Simms asked was it necessary that the power should remain off so late in the afternoon.

The engineer stated that the power had been cut off to carry out some alterations to the Ha'ngatiVj substation and arrange for some minor alterations. It had not been possible to make a notification in the Otorohanga paper that the power would be cut off, but as many as possible of the farmers had been notified by telephone. Sunday was the most suitable day for carrying out this work, as it did not affect industrial concerns, and domestic users were not so much affected as on other days. The work last Sunday had taken longer than was expected, but once started it had to be finished. All Power Boards had the same trouble when alterations or repairs had to be effected.

Mr. Simms: "I do not think the engineer understands the seriousness of the position as it affects the dairy farmer. I have an electric cooker in my house, but I would sooner light a fire outside for cooking purposes than have milking operations upset in this way. The man who has a large herd is not to be envied."

The engineer reported that during the month no interruptions have occurred to the Public Works Department supply. Two interruptions have occurred during the month to the supply to a portion of the Te Kuiti Borough due to faults on Hunt's line, Awakino Road. One was due to a bird on the line and the other was •due to a branch of a tree being blown across the line during a gale.

Finance. The secretary reported that the total capital expenditure of the Board up to March 1, 1932, was £99,147 12s. The arrears on account of sale of current on March 1, 1932. amounted to £229 10s Bd, as compared with £499 4s Id on April 1, 1931. In the trading account the balance outstanding on March 1, 1932, was £2437 14s 6d as compared with £4364 12s 4d on April 1, 1931. The bulk of these two amounts represents* installations and appliances sold on the time-payment system.