COMING OF THE "JUICE."

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2646, 15 May 1923, Page 3

COMING OF THE "JUICE."

MANAWATU-OROUA POWER BOARD. , ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Mana-. watu-Oroua Electric Power Board was! held yesterday, when there were present. Messrs. J. A. Nash, M.P., Sir James Wilson, H. H. Hunt, J. S. Tingey, J. Morrison, J. H. Vincent, L. T. McLean, J. Dinklater, M.P., P. J. Small, F. W. Arbon, and S. R .Lancaster. Mr Nash was re-elected chairman on the motion of Sir James Wilson, and seconded by J. Morrison, both speakers eulogising the work done by Mr Nash as chairman. In replying Mr Nash thanked the members for returning him. It had been suggested in newspapers that other disricts would be ahead of the local activities, but, thanks mainly to the yeoman service rendered by the engineer (Mr W. A. Waters), he ventured to say that by the time the "juice" was turned on, we would be "right there." CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. In presenting the annual _ report the chairman congratulated the members of the Board upon the excellent progress that had been made during the past fourteen months. "At one time it was thought that that the delay which occurred would seriously hamper the Board," said Mr Nash, "but it was pointed out at the time that it would be the means of saving thousands of pounds in the purchase of materials. This has proved conclusively to be the case. Wfe have been able to buy at reduced rates and on the best market. Further, it may be added that thft Board will be ready before the Government supply from Mangahao is available. Meantime, the Board has asked the Borough Council for a quotation for supply from its power station, which should be ready in October. If negotiations are satisfactorily arranged, a portion of our district should be receiving the benefit of electric power by October next. Since the inception of the Board, sixteen ordinary and six executive meetings have been held, and members have worked very harmoniously together, and it is very gratifying to find that the electors have returned the same representatives again without an election. ONE OF THE BEST. The loan- arranged—£4oo,ooo—was] one of the best floated in New Zealand Being spread, payments, it will average £5 2/9 per cent. All surplus moneys are invested at cal lat 4 J per cent, the amount to-day being £40,279. Tin, total amount of expenditure to date, including contracts for which tenders are invited will be about £96,000. The by-laws of the Board are now conying into operation, and will be of material benefit to all concerned. The Board is also to be congratulated in its decision to make advances to consumers at the low rate of 7 per cent., also the inducement to wire, up at once, and to make no charge until the supply is available. The work of the staff is increasing very rapidly, and the secretary, Mr Elington, who, is rendering splendid service, will have to be provided with assistance as. soon as the Board's new premises are ready for occupation, which will be in one month's time. Our staff at present consists of secretary, engineer, engineer's assistant, block officer, clerk, typist and four labourers. The appointment of an assistant engineer will have to be ma.de in the course of a few days' time. Our conraei' for poles is 12,000 and so far 900 have come to hand, and we have cause to feel proud of the standard of poles purchased. Mr Waters, engineer, is kept very busy, and has the Board's interests at heart. The booklet prepared by him was a masterpiece, and has been very favourably commented upon. His reports—issued monthly—contain most useful information, and he is to be congratulated upon the very excellent progress he is making with the Board's scheme. He has proved himself to be a real live-wire. We already have an executive, which is also a finance committee, order to cope with the increased operations of the Board, the executive has decided to recommend that an accounts committee be set up consisting of the chairman, Mr J. Linklater, M.P., and the treasurer, to check accounts and pass the wages payable to staff. The question of at once entering into a contract with the Government for the supply of juice has not yet been settled, and I suggest that we should have this deferred as long as possible, so that we can obtain some idea as to what our output will be, and this should be available within the next six months. In conclusion, I desire to thank the members of the Board for their hearty co-operation during the past fourteen months.—The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. From Messrs C. F. Millward and Co., with reference to poles, and stating that the certificates from the New South Wales Forestry Department, had been handed over when the poles, arriverl.—Received. From the same firm, forwarding, claim of £8 12/4 for wages checking poles at Bunnythorpe and Taonui. — Received. From the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board, thanking the Board for permission to use data set out in the Board's booklet. —Received. From Mr R. W. McVilly, general manager, New Zealand Railways, stating that instructions had been given to allow the Board to use the gas works' siding.—Received. From the Railway Department stating that if it was intended to store, poles at Bunnythorpe yard, a storage charge would have to be paid. The, writer also stated that the demurrage, charge could not be remitted. —Received.

From the Equipment Ltd., stating that it could not yet give an answer when the earth-boring machine would, be shipped.—The engineer was instructed • to investigate the matter. From Mr H. Jacob, requesting permission to run electric wires across a

road in the Kiwitea County.—The matter was referred to the Public Works Department. From Mr R. Tanner, requesting to be included in the first list of persons to be supplied with power' in Kairanga.—Referred to engineer. From th A.M.P. Society, forwarding a cheque for £IO,OOO, being debenture No. 4. —Received. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to f 0,620 19/10 were passed for payment. The statement of account's as at May 14, 1923, showed: Loan acount, credit, £11,858 6/1; contractors' deposits, credit, £463 16/;.call account Public Trustee, £40,279 14/2; total, £52,599 Hi/3. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer's (Mr W. A. Waters) report for the past month stated, inter alia:—"The material that has arrived so far is:—9oo poles, 12,000 crossarms, 10,000 insulators, 3,300 and 400 volt, 3,000 insulators (11,000 volt), pipe and fittings for earth brackets, binding wire, 257 drums bare copper cables. What we are in need of is stems for 3,300 and 400 volt insulators, and most particular of all is pole top hardware. Both these items have left England and are due any day then we can make a start, Mr Baillie -Tvas cabled to England to find out what ship the pole top hardware is on. Many miles of lines have been pegged and a large plan is in course of preparation for contractor for guidance in carting poles of correct sizes to specified positions. Tenders. —During April specifications were issued and tenders called for the following:— Carting of poles, two travelling hut's, 1,450 meters, 380 motors, sizes 1 h.p. to 20 h.p. These close at end of this month, May 31, and contracts for transformers, testing instruments, and outdoor oil switches close on the same date. Tenders will be called this month for contract No. 21, for enamel danger signs as required under license. By the end of the month tenders have been invited for 22 contracts, and by the June meeting contracts will have been placed for 21 contracts." —The report..was adopted.