RONGOTEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 12

RONGOTEA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, Oct. 2. Arising out of the 40-hour week. the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board is finding a difficulty in keeping the duties of its employees within those bounds, and on _ the recommendation of a special committee sot up by the board to consider the matter it was decided to remove the local representative to Fcilding, where co-opera-tion between the members of the staff would enable them to maintain an _ efficient service within the hours prescribed. When this proposal to transfer the local “troubleman” became known, there was an immediate protest, as it was considered that tho distance to bo travelled from Fcilding would entail serious delay should a breakdown occur in factories or milking sheds here. Also, in tho event of a fire, live wires would constitute a serious menace. On Tuesday a deputation of district residents visited Palmerston North and had a lengthy interview with the board’s committee in an endeavour to arrange that a repair man should be kept on in Rongotca. In reply it was pointed out that the board was facing a considerable increase in maintenance costs, and found it necessary to economise by concentrating its staff. Upon hearing the deputation’s representations the board decided to leave tho matter in abeyance till its next general meeting. In tho meantime a meeting of residents of the district is to be held in Rongotca to discuss ways and means of keeping a man stationed in Rongotca for the servicing of tho district, as it is considered necessary, owing to tho largo number of milking and other motors in use, that a “troubleman” should be stationed in the centre of this closely populated area. As if to draw attention to the difficulties that could arise, the power in this area was off for 20 minutes on I uesday morning, and the cause was eventually traced t’o a magpie getting across the wires. The delay was particularly serious to the local butter factory. A card afternoon was held at the homo of Mrs A. J. Will for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the Girl Guides and Rangers. Mrs Will proved the winner and the consolation prize went to Mrs Gardner. Mrs Fraser was awarded the lucky cup. Among those present were Mcsdames H. V. Cavcrhill, M. Bower, A. Burgess, E. Gardner, A. Hill, R. Soott, A. H. Hobbs, T. Fraser, W. A. Davison, S. Barker, C. Davison, and Misses L. Davis and E. Knight.