Servicing Electric Power

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 4

Servicing Electric Power

PUBLIC MEETING AT RONGOTEA. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, thero was a largo attendance of power consumers at a special meeting at Rongotea on Tuesday evening, called to consider the proposal of the Rower Board to rernovo their troubleman from the district. The Man'awatu-Oroua Power Board was represented, in an unofficial capacity, by Messrs Neil Campbell, J. Boyce and E. O. Bond,- together with the secrotaryinanagcr and the engineer to the board, namely, Messrs K. W. Eglinton and W. A. Waters respectively.

By virtue of his position as chairman of the Town Board, Mr L. H. Yarrall occupied the chair. The chairman stated the purpose for which the meeting was called, namely, to discuss ways and means of keeping a man stationed at Rongotea for the servicing of the district as it is considered necessary owing to the large number of milking and other motors in use, that a troubleman should bo stationed in the centre of this closely populated area. Mr H. V. Caverhill, secretary of the Rongotea Dairy Company, convener of tho meeting, read apologies for nonattendance from the chairman of the Bainesso Dairy Factory, owing to illness in the family, and a strong protest from suppliers at Carnarvon. An apology was also received from Mr J. Hodgens, M.P. After thanking the board members and Power Board officials for their presence at the meeting, the chairman stated that on Tuesday, September 29, a small deputation had waited on the board and had stated the case for the district. Its representations had been courteously received and after lengthy discussion had taken place, it was decided that further action in the matter be held over in an endeavour to consider ways and moans of keeping a man in Rongotea. In common with all Governments, tho chairman continued, the present Government urged that the country should be made as attractive as possible. “We are asked to do all possible to keep tho youth of New Zealand in the country districts, yet the action of the Power Board would take, away one of the small amenities the'district enjoyed, and give it to Feilding,” he stated. It was not an economic measure to load this end with further expense while easing that of Feilding. The district had no desire to dictate the policy of the Power Board, but felt that the board had not fully appreciated the position of the district.

Mr W. Gloyn, chairman of the Rongotca Dairy Company, stated that on the morning on which tho proposed transfer of tho troubleman from Rongotea to Feilding was made known, there was a breakdown in the power supply. This was remedied in tho space of minutes, but had it been necessary to bring a man from Foilding tho factory would have boon held up for an hour or more. The factories have to pay overtime now, and lengthy interruptions of tho power supply would be a serious matter. Mr Gloyn mentioned that thero were a large number of poultry-farms dependent upon tho power supply for their incubators and brooders and failures in the- service would be disastrous in such cases. Ho stated, amid laughter, that farmers cannot hand-milk theso days and mentioned the gale of February last in confirmation of his statement. The dairy factory had no standby plant now and it would bo necessary to make some arrangement in case of accidents. Dain • ing was The chief industry in this district, which was one of the most closely settled agricultural areas in tho Dominion and it was not right that thd district should be penalised. Mr W. Scott, chairman of the Glen Oroua Dairy Company, said the most distant part of this district from Feilding was 25 miles away. There were one-third of the total number of motors in the board’s area in this district and one-fifth of its revenue camo from this part. There were five troublemen in the employ of the board, with the prospect of another. If the troubleman was moved, at least 12 miles would be added to every call. Mileage must be a large item in the board’s expenses—and tho number of calls considerable for tho district was heavily populated and the herds were large. From Apiti it would take two hours to get a man out. The saving in wages might be slight, but service was the essence of all business to-day and the Power Board should be prepared to give it. The chairman of tho Mangawhata Dairy Company said that only last week his company had ordered a new motor, but unless the power supply and service could be reiied upon, they would have to cancel the order and keep to the present type of machine because the factory could not afford to keep standby motors. Mr A. Morcom, Manawatu County Council, endorsed the statements of previous speakers, but thought that the Power Board members should put their argument so that other lines of argument could be opened up. Mr J. Boyce said the Power Board also had to pay overtime. The trouble

had arisen over tho 40-hour weok. As a farmer ho appreciated tho loss that would be occasioned by tho removal of the troubleman, but to put on another troubleman would cost £SOO odd a year. £163 was collected in charges, but much of this was used in upkeep, etc. In his opinion, the service would benefit if tho troubleman was moved to Foildiug. With two men at Bunnythorpe and two at Feilding there would be continuous servico and one man would always be available. Tho troubleman stationed in Rongotea travelled 21,800 milos last year, which proved that ho was absent from home a good deal, l'f a troubleman was left in Rongotea, the Apiti people would bo within their rights to demand a similar concession. There was good service in this district before the troubleman was stationed hero. The board would givo service wherever possible, but the troublonlan could only work five days a week now and the board must balance its budget like every other concern. Mr Bond stated that when the idea was first mooted to station a man in Rongotea, there was considerable debate about it, but ho never expected to come and listen to a protest when it was proposed to move that man. The move must have been appreciated. He quite appreciated the position and the psychological effect of such an occasion, but alterations in Government brought nbw laws and the Power Board had been compelled to change its way of working things to come within the bounds of what was permitted by law. No undue advantage could be given to any section of the people. So far nothing final had been decided. If a man could be retained here through the board’s agreement, he would support the decision, but he could not support any suggestion that might not be reasonable and in keeping with the board ’<s policy of doing the best possible for all concerned.

Mr N. Campbell said the troubleman was stationed in Rongotea as an experiment and when there were no restrictions on the number of hours to be worked, it was quite all right, but to keep a man here now would mean the addition of two men to the staff. The board made its charges as low as possible and its service as good as it could. Rongotea and the districts surrounding had been spoilt, but all consumers must be studied and not a portion of them. If special services were required, someone had to pay for them. The Labour laws must be respected and observed. A farmer suggested that the time wasted in travelling from distant parts to this area would probably call for the services of another man, and said that this area would probably support two men as it was. Ho also mentioned that this board’s charges were among the highest in New Zealand. Why was it necessary to have power troublemen within five miles of each other? Mr W. A. Waters: The men livo at Palmerston North, Bunnythorpe and Feilding. Mr Boddy, Kopane, moved a resolution, that the meeting had confidence that the Power Board would handle the matter to the- best advantage of everyone.

Mr J. Read, manager of the Rongotea Dairy Company: If a man can be left here for 24 hours a day under the old law, why tako him away when he has to work 40 hours? Mr K. W. Eglinton (secretary), explaining the award, stated that a man could work 40 hours a week or 120 in three weeks. Mr Mansell:. Were the troublemen fully employed before the 40-hour week? Mr Campbell: Much trouble is caused by the carelessness of consumers who see that lines, etc., are beginning to give trouble, but wait till tho trouble occurs before they complain. The board will have to try to arrange somo scheme by which periodic inspection -will prevent much breakdown trouble. Mr J. C. Glover felt that tho arguments being put forward wero not getting anywhere, and ways and means of retaining a man should be discussed. Mr Mansell opposed the suggestion that consumers should have to pay to keep a troubleman here. Mr L. H. Yarrall said they were not thero to make charges and counter charges, but to discuss ways and means and reach some sort of finality. Ho suggested that tho board make some suggestion concerning the amount required to keep a man here. Mr Morcom moved a resolution that the meeting strongly recommend the Power Board to keep a man in Rongotea and in the event of this man being called upon after his 40 hours is over, the individual consumer to' pay the overtime.

Mr Bond stated that the board had not gone thoroughly into tho matter. Mr Yarrall said that they had the assurance of Mr Dernier, chairman of the board, that nothing would be done until the next meeting. Mr Boyce said he was interested in keeping the troubleman here, but his duty was to the district as a whole and not to his own particular area. Mr Scott moved that the matter be left over till after tho next board meeting and that if the board decides to move the troubleman, an alternative proposal be put forward by which the district may retain his services. Mr Read stated that if tho service was reduced, he must make recommendations to his directors concerning a standby plant.