HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4685, 21 November 1931, Page 4

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting- of the llorowhenua Electric Power Board was held on Tuesday. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows for the period since the previous meeting:— Fifteen new service lines have been erected, extra phases on three existing services and one re-run after a fire. Twenty-five poles have been carted, fitted and erected and six poles taken out and re-erected in new positions; 543 chains of wire have been run out and erected. L.T. was extended on the AshleaTemukanui Rond, and a small extension was made on the waterfront, Wniknnao Beach. Extra phases have been run on Queenwood Road and The Avenue, Levin. A permanent line has been put in for the Makerna Drainage_Board’s pump at, Okuku. Heavier cables have been run on Qucenwood Road and The Avenue, Levin, To Baku and Tc Horn Beach Roads, and the Main Road, Tokomaru. Some overhauling has been doiie on the Tolcomaru circuit, L.T. lines wore altered at Moutoa to give clearance, over the new stop-bank. A heavy flood in the Waiiohu Stream oji the night of November 2nd, washed out a bank on which

one of the main line poles was situated. Temporary repairs were effected without interruption to the power, in the early morning, and permanent alterations were made during the next night. Ten transformers have been changed and re-conditioned. Eighty-seven'new single-phase and five polyphase motors have been tested and 44- single-phase meters re-tested. I would ask authority to purchase 120 24ft. natural round hardwood poles, at an approximate cost of £l2O. On the motion of (lie Chairman, seconded by Mr [Morse, the report was adopted and authority was given for the purchase of the poles mentioned. FINANCIAL RESULTS. The report by the Treasurer was as follows: — The usual monthly statement of clectrieitv sales is submitted lierewith, from which it will he seen that for the seven months ended October 30th, 1031, the gross increase over last year is £1054, hat after allowing for discounts there is a nett decrease of £3BO. Domestic lighting, heating and water-hea-ting show very satisfactory increases, the amount under these headings being ‘£1277. Unfortunately, however, the decline in sales for commercial purposes rather counteracts this. Had times been normal, it is not, unreasonable to suppose that, with the heavy discount now being allowed on lighting, the consumption would have increased considerably. Instead of that, we find a gross decrease, which is probably a reflection of the difficult times through which the commercial community is passing.

•Sundry Debtors: The amount outstanding under the above beading, shows n slight increase for the month, the figures being: November balance, £4829; October balance £4760. The Chairman said lie thought that the Board had had to expect the decreases in consumption. People had had to economise whcroever possible. The power consumption would right itself before the summer was over. He moved that the report be received. Cr. Bryant seconded the motion, and it was carried. NO.[FURTHER LOAN THIS YEAR. The Chairman stated that the Finance iCommittce had had to report on whether they considered it advisable to release the sale of the 5i per cent, debentures or defer it. They, had the assurance of the Treasurer that he was able to curry on, and they had decided not to raise any further loan money in this financial year. The number of extensions and so forth would not warrant it.. That was the only recommendation that the committee could make on the matter in the meantime. SUPERANNUATION. The Chairman stated that the secretary had been instructed to proceed to Wellington, to interview the Superintendent ol.' National Provident Fund to obtain further particulars of the effect of wage and salary reductions on the superannuation system. Reporting on the result of his visit, the secretary stated that a schedule had been prepared for him,. From the table which it gave, it was found that the total annual savings by paying on the basis of the reduction remunerations would be £7 10s to the Board and £l6 to the empldyees. The saving to either was negligible, and the superintendent thought it would be to the advantage of both to continue the payments at the present rates. In the present scheme £670 had been paid to the fund: £361 from the Board and £309 from the employees. If the Board elected to pay at the reduced rate, the em-

ployoos would have no say in tin' matter; but if the Pmanl derided to continue paying nt the present rate, it would bo for the employees individually to say whether they would pay Ihe additional amounf.

The Chairman moved that, from (he Board’s point of view, it he left to the employees individually to decide whether they would continue to pay on the higher scale or have it reduced and that they he given one month in which to make their decision.

Mr Blenkhorn: And I suppose the Board will eonfribnfe at the present rate? The Chairman: Thai is my motion. Tf the individuals eome down, the Board’s share will come down automatically.

Mr Barber, in seconding the motion, said lie hoped that the employees would rise to the occasion and keep the payments on ihe higher level. The motion was carried. lie was sitting on a bench in llm park, smoking his pipe and tit uraec with all (lie world, when the hooknosed stranger happened along and sat down beside him. “My friend." said hook-nose, “do you know you are. digging your grave with your pipe? Every pipeful of tobacco contains an appreciable quantity of nicotine, deadly poison, mind you! —and” “Como ml'f ill" interrupted the smoker, “there's no nicotine, or ’ardlv any, in this here bacon, guv’nnr. Don't you worry! “No nicotine?” queried hook-nose, “why what kind of tobacco is it? ‘N<m Zealand. That's- what. toasted. That takes the dope clean out of it. Can’t hurt voii if you smoke a wheelbarrowful every week. Hooknose smiled incredulously. But the smoker was right. New Zealand tobacco is its harmless as fresh air. Glorious bouquet too, and slteli a. flavour! The toasting process works wonders! But hear in mind there are only four brands: Riverhead Gold, Navy Cut No. 3, Cavendish and Cut- Plug No. 10. Don’t accept imitations! There are several about! —223.

Lighting 1 — 1930 1931 Incrse. Domestic £6951 £7559 £608 Commercial 3501 3445 50* Heatings— Domestic 4308 4799 491 iCommercial 828 791 37* Power (6038 5778 260* Water-heating— Domestic 1422 1600 178 Commercial 1107 1233 126 Street Lighting 080 •684 4 : — — Gross £24,835 £25,889 Lesfl discounts 1043 2477 £1054 — —— Nett £23,792 £23,412 ‘Decrease. £380*