MEETING THE BILL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 62, 11 February 1936, Page 9

MEETING THE BILL

POWER LINE DAMAGE. COST TO BOARD. W'ann praise for the efficiency and rapidity with which the electricity service had been restored to consumers after the extensive damage done by the hurricane was expressed by members at the meeting of the ManawatuOroua Power Board, yesterday afternoon, when the question of suitable recognition of the employees’ services was discussed. Mr J. A. Nash inquired how many poles had been lost. The chief engineer (Mr W. A. Waters) said a lot of silver-pine poles had been brought down, being torn clean out of the ground, and eight bluegum poles, but only one ironbark pole was lost. Mr N. Campbell asked if large quantities of new wire would be required, and was informed that this was so. Mr M. A. Eliott asked how the board was going to finance the loss it had suffered in the unprecedented occurrence. He suggested that the cost could not he met out of revenue, and that the board should seek sanction for a special loan. The chairman (Mr C. G. C. Dernier) said’ the 'necessary, finance could be provided out of the board’s depreciation reserve. This fund, said the managing-secre-tary (Mr K. W. Eglinton), stood at £20,000. There was £BOOO to he paid in this year. Mr E. O. Bond said consumers had praised the work of the men in restoring order from the tangled mass of power lines, and some had said this should, be suitably recognised. The ordinary outside staff would receive overtime, and he moved that permanent employees be paid 2s an hour, for their work under the special conditions. The chairman said the engineer and twelve members of the salaried staff would come into this category. All the board’s employees were to be warmly congratulated on their splendid work. Similai 1 sentiments were voiced by Mr J. H. Mason, who praised their efficiency in working without accident under arduous and highly dangerous conditions. Mr Nash said the services of gangs loaned from the Public Works Department and the Wellington City Council should be recognised by paying them overtime for their arduous hours. The board’s engineer and staff, said Mr Nash, had been responsible for wonderful work. It was very gratifying to find that the main poles, desapped and specially selected by the engineer, who deserved great credit, had withstood the fury of the gale. Appreciation of the fast manner in which services had been restored was voiced by Mr W. McKay on behalf of the Apiti Dairy Company which, lie said, had the power on again by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday. Residents of the Poliangina area had praised the work of the men. Mr P. G. Guy said the board’s employees had a great record in restoring the service to Feilding. It was pointed out that the board’s engineer had covered over 1000 miles and used 50 gallons of benzine, and Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., said the hoard should bear this cost. Ordinarily the ■engineer provided his own transport. It was agreed that the engineer should be recompensed, that all permanent employees be paid 2s an hour for their work during the period, and that the question of the remuneration of visiting gangs be left to the finance committee. A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the assistance given by outside organisations.