Board’s Decision Stands Re Parua Bay Reticulation

Northern Advocate, 14 November 1941, Page 7

Board’s Decision Stands Re Parua Bay Reticulation

Withdrawal of five settlers in the Parua Bay reticulation area of the North Auckland Electric-power Board from the Ocean Beach group did not cause the board at its monthly meeting in Dargaville yesterday to alter its decision to use a singie-phase system instead of a three-phase system. A letter from Messrs. W. J. Crook, 11. H. Davison, M. J. R. Mcßae, E. B. .Tagger and F. C. Cossey stated that they were withdrawing from the Ocean Beach group until the board decided to carry out the reticulation in three-phase instead of single-phase. A further letter detailed the history of negotiations in connection with the reticulation of the district.

Public Meeting One thing that had been omitted from the second letter was that a meeting had been called at Taurikura at which, after a long discussion, a motion had been brought forward I asking the board to proceed with the work on the system recommended by the engineer (Mr. T. R. Overton), stated Mr. J. A. S. Mac Kay. The engineer’s recommendation was a single-phase system, and the meeting had approved the motion unanimously. Although four or five people had expressed dissatisfaction, the chairman, who was one of those who had expressed dissatisfaction, had declared the motion carried unanimously. A deputation had waited on the board, members of which had been called dictators, but it was the objecting settlers who were the dictators, continued Mr. Mac Kay. At the meeting the people had been assured that if the board could not give a satisfactory service by means of a single-phase system it would have to provide another service, while the engineer had said that the poles erected would be capable of carrying a three-phase system if it were | needed. “Hard to Satisfy" The settlers involved were hard to satisfy and if they could not be satisfied with what the board proposed to do it would be better for them to be out of the group. Remarking that the settlers concerned had been given a good hearing. Mr. J. H. McCarroll moved that the letter should be received and no more notice taken. Mr. F. Elliott said he had been informed by one of the signatories to the letter that the grievance concerned not so much the substitution of the three-phase system for the single-phase system if the latter were unsatisfactory, but the fact that singlephase appliances would not be of use if a three-phase system were installed later. The settlers contended that such a position made possible extra expenditure and therefore they preferred to wait two or three years until they could get service by a three-phase system. Not a Poor District The same informant had suggested the board might make inquiries into the produce of the district, continued Mr. Elliott. He had stated that, while the district had been called poor, it really produced a reasonable amount of butterfat in comparison with other areas. He himself felt it might be better to leave the settlers out of the group for two or three years. In reply to. Mr. E. G. Appleton the engineer (Mr. T. R. Overton) said the settlers concerned were at the end of the line the opening of which would not be affected if they were not included. The chairman (Mr. J. A. McLean) said the position was unfortunate as tlie settlers concerned were farmers, while other connections on the line were to shacks and houses. Apparently there were sufficient guarantees without the inclusion of these settlers. Near Payable Basis “The position now is that the Parua Bay group, without taking in Ocean Beach Road, is just about on a payable basis,” said tire engineer. “We can take the line and terminate it at the turn-off to Ocean Beach Road, as that will not affect anybody else. With the withdrawal of the Ocean Beach Road settlers the Parua Bay group was brought to about an even keel and the board could proceed on that basis.” Only motors were affected in a change over from single-phase to three-phase. If it were found, as he was sure it would not be, that a single-phase system was' not satisfactory, the board could take in singlephase motors and give the owners more for them than the sutlers would have to pay for three-phase motors. Single-phase motors were most efficient. “These people do not care about the expense which would be involved in using a three-phase system.’ continued the engineer. “It would cost £9OO more and in addition material would have to be used when it would he better employed elsewhere.” The motion was carried.

Progress With Work Reporting on group wiring, the engineer stated that the Roberts Electrical Company had completed the Parua Bay B group with the exception of two on which deposits were still outstanding. The majority of the completed installations had been inspected and livened. In Parua Bay A group, the same company regretted that it was unable

to undertake any of the work owing to the enlistment of their only available man, who had been appealed for when the work on the other two groups had been accepted. Other contractors in the board's district had been approached, but nothing of an encouraging nature had so far been achieved. Mr. Mclntyre, to whom the contract had originally been awarded, was unable to start this group before the Otaika group was completed, but was quite agreeable to meet the hoard in any way he could by releasing all or a portion of the work in order that the installations would be wired at the earliest date. The company also wrote to the board advising that it was regretted that, owing to men being called up for war service, it would be unable to accept the wiring contract for Parua Bay C group. The letter was received, the engineer stating that he had arranged for the only tenderer available. Mr. Parker, of Clark and Parker, to go to Parua Bay for a month if a cottage could be secured for him.