WAITOMO POWER BOARD

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4812, 19 July 1939, Page 5

WAITOMO POWER BOARD

SUPPLY OF LOCAL INSULATORS. THREE MONTHS’ NOTICE NEEDED PURCHASE OF NEW TRUCK. The monthly meeting of the Waitomo Power Board was held in Te Kuiti on Monday, when there were present Messrs. J. N. Boddie, chairman, W. A. Lee, W. Bluck, V. W. Simms, C. S. Brook, W. S. Cato, E. T. Gorton, the secretary, Mr. W. F. Seeker, and the engineer, Mr. N. A. Davidson.

Mr. J. E. Bethune wrote stating that he would be prepared to give the engineer any help he could in investigating the possibility of supplying the Wharepapa district. In this connection the engineer said the probable route that would be taken by a line to supply this district direct from Arapuni had been suggested by the Public Works Department. A reply is to be forwarded stating that the Board would avail themselves of Mr. Bethune’s offer.

A letter was tabled showing that to secure New Zealand made insulators it would be necessary to order three months in advance. The engineer said that sufficient could not be carried in stock for major extensions, but as it appeared to be the intention of the import restrictions to make the local factory supply all requirements as soon as this was possible, the Board would, because of insulators alone, have to look ahead in planning new lines. An inquiry was received from Mr. Wilfred Johnston to supply his Oparure property. The engineer is to investigate the position.

An extension to provide for two houses and L, Worth’s limeworks at Hangatiki was approved subject to a guarantee of £4O being available. The power line extensions to Whawharua and H. Vincent, Otewa Road, have been completed The work of erecting heavier conductors on Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga, was in progress and the line extension to F. Richmond, Otewa Road, would be completed next week. The matter of the increasing of the bulk supply and of earth leakage protection on the temporary feed had been taken up with the Public Works Department. On Sunday the voltage was increased by 2% per cent. While the temporary feed is in operation at the sub-station to enable work to be carried out, the protective system which trips out lines fallen to the ground does not operate. The liability in the event of accident is to be taken up with the Public Works Department.

On a division the Board decided to purchase a truck made in the United States, Messrs. Gorton and Bluck holding that a Canadian product should be purchased. The purchase will be conditional upon loan money being available to permit line construction work to continue.

The secretary reported that it was hoped to have the report on the effect of the proposed new tariff schedule brought forward at the next meeting of the Board.