ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS

CONFERENCE OF SECRETARIES. MARY nbrirEßS DISCUSSED The second aasDaztl conference of the Secretaries’ Association of the Electric Power Boards’ Association of New Zealand was opened yesterday at the King Edward Technical Col lege. Air J. A. Nash, M_P. ((president of the Bower Boards’ Association) was in the chair, and Mr Jasper dark ((chairman of the Otago Board) and Mr P. H. Smith (chairman of the Secretaries’ Association) were also present. The following delegates attended; —Messrs C. Dash (South Canterbury), G. E. Fowler (Central Hawke’s Bay), H. H. AVylie (Hawke’s Bay), F. S. Jarman (Springs, Ellesmere, the secretary), C. Campbell (Southland), J. Denford (Otago), vv. Atkinson (Waitaki). F. R. Harvey (Waivere), H. G. Kemp (Ashburton), R. Cockbum (Heriot), D. M’Arthur (Te Awamufu), H. J. Beeclie (Central Av aikato), F. At. Oliver (Cambridge, V. aikaio), A. M. Owen (Christchurch Electric Department), S. B. Bull (AVaitemata), C. Cassels (Southland), C. Kncknen fSouthland), N. AI. Speer (Auckiand)' J. Long (Dunedin City), R. Sprague (Thames Valley), G. Bursea (Wairarapa), K. L Kgiinton (Alanawatu), and M. J. Vvbite (Poverty Laj). ADDRESS OF WELCOME. The Chairman expressed his thanks for the invitation to preside as president »{ the New Zealand Power Board s -Association. He realised very great amount of good resulting from conferences of secretaries. ihe association knew that it had to look to power board executive officers for the technical assistance. The conferences in Wellington between the boards and the engineers had been productive of much good, and tresti legislation had been the outcome. The association had asked for a consolidating Act for power boards, and the late Air Birks, chief public works engineer, although realising his death was near, had -undertaken to prepare the Act, but death had claimed him before the work bad been completed. Tire consolidation bad assisted the secretaries considerably. The Chairman extended a hearty welcome to the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.), who was congratulated on his election to Parliament, and to Mr Jasper Clark, chairman of the Otago Electric Power Board Mr Nash assured the secretaries that they had the hearty support of the power bords, Mr Tapley said that it was a pleasure to be present at the conference to extend a hearty 7 welcome to the secretaries. The Dunedin City Council was highly interested in hydro-electricity, for the corporation was one of the first, it not the first, to develop power as a municipal undertaking. He was sure that Maipori had great potentialities. Air aapley that the secretaires should pay a visit to Waipori. where the plant was being extended. Returning thanks tor the congratulation on his election to 1 arliament, Air Tapley assured the conference that he would use his best endeavours to ensure the future progress of hydro-electricity. Hr Jasoer Clark stated that he was pleased to see such a large assembly. Sacii a conference was of great educational value. Individually they could do nothing, but collectively they could be of groat help to the movement. Mr P. K. Smith, chairman of the executive in thanking the previous speakers, said that the delegates realised that only by getting together could they help one another. He was sure that the deliberations of the executive officers present would be for the good of the community generally. PRESIDENT’S REPORT. The President’s report, which was read, Stated inter alia; — The responsibility of supply authorities in respect of maintaining safe condition of elect -deal installations was a matter or some concern, and had already been referred to the department, as also to the association’s solicitor to have such modification in the proposed new regulations of the Public Works Department as would relieve supply authorities from responsibility in respect of accidents at any time arising from an electrical installation in which a fault may have developed. There was the question of notifying the Fire Underwriters’ Association of all electrical installations, the neglect of which might result in the obligations of insurance being repudiated. This matter had been brought before the Fire Underwriters Association pointing out that as the fire hazard was not increased, but rather lessened, by an installation of electricity, the notification referred to should be abolished. The advisability of having revenue guarantoed before reticulation was carried out, particularly iu country districts, was a matter of policy that might reasonably be discussed. The chairman of the Lank ot New Zealand had recently referred to the iui-e expenditure for development and distribution of hydro-electricity throughout New Zealand, and expressed the opinion tiiat the cost was imposing a severe burden, particularly upon the country districts. The general policy that had been adopted bv power boards throughout New Zsaland with indeed very few exceptions, appeared to have been upon the basis of h-ivinc revenue assured commensurate vith tbo expenditure involved in constructing elecriic lines. The wisdom displayed by power boards in the distribution of elec-t-icitv was the lever which controlled the burden to be borne by ratepayers of this The basis adopted for annual guarantee of revenue by the Public Works Department, bMrg 20 per cent, of the capital cost, had been adopted in many cases bv supply authorities. It was suggested that 12* per cent, was a sufficient sum to warrant an extension being maue. AVaen considerin'' - a guarantee it would appear to be sound to adopt a 20 per cent basis on the cost of labour and material without taking to account any apportionment of overhead charges in respect of the work involved. It was fair to assume that where the board received sufficient revenue within a period of five years to cover cost of construction (labour and material), that the revenue to be derived from such an extension would be maintained during succeeding years. _ Here were, however, instances which indicated that some danger might exist in adopting this policy, for an isolated consumer who was prepared to make a very’ substantial guarantee for a period of five years in order to secure electrical service, and was not actually in a position to consume current to the value of the guarantee given. The demand for electric ranges was becoming universal, and the cheap installation. of an efficient hot-water service in conjunction therewith was obviously essential. In order to restrict as far as possible the consumption on hot-water services at peak load hours various devices had been put into operation. An automatic control which cut off the waterheating element when other services were in use appeared to be the most satisfactory means of controlling thus supply. As several industrial awards had recently been made in connection with the demand of unions of power beard employees, it was desirable that delegates should be conversant with these awards as the activity of the various unions would probably be extended cover various electric power boards in New Zealand. On the motion of Air Nash, seconded by Mr Campbell, the report was received. REMITS. The first remit was from the Otago Board, and was as follows: —"That in view of the desirability to secure to boards the property in installations financed by these boards, and of the prevalency of the practice, this conference recommends that electrical installations be included by Order-in-Council in that class of articles which, by section 57 of the Chattels Transfer Act, 1924, shall not r>-quire registration to be effective in hire-purchase agreements.’’ Air Denford said that since the remit had been forwarded for insertion in the order paper, information bad been received that the desired requisition had been covered by the Act. Mr Campbell said that the Act bad been, amended to provide that the original agreement did not have to be registered. Alany power boards had various types of hire purchase forms. The remit was withdrawn, and it was decided, on Air Campbell’s motion, that the Bower Board’s solicitor. Air _Martin, be asked to prepare a universal hire purchase agreement form. On the .motion of Air Smith, seconded by ALr Eglinton, the following Opunafcs remit was carried without discussKxr: — “That' the Ceasm and Statistics Department

and the Public Works Department be asked to co-operate with the association with the object of drawing up a combined form for statistics more in accordance with the general records kept by power boards whereby the one form would bo sufficient for both dcpartmenta.’’ The Tararua Board asked the conference to discuss the following ;—“Whether it would be to the interests of power boards to issue monthly printed leaflets to oonaumors dealing ■with electrical topics, having in view the dissemination of useful information to the end that sales of electrical energy may bo increased; whether it would ,bc practicable for all associate! power boards to join in this propaganda, using the same leaflets and jointly defraying the cost of printing same.’’ Air Nash said he had received a suggestion from the federation that a campaign to advertise electricity should be commenced, the Government, federation, and the power boards to share the cost. He had replied that the Power Boards’ Association had no available funds, as the administrative costs were a heavy tax. However, he proposed to discuss the matter on his return to Wellington. He did not think that the executive should commit the association to an expenditure. The matter, he thought, should l>e held over till the Boards Associations’ Conference was held, and the delegates, if they considered it advisable, could impose a levy on boards to defray the cost of the publicity campaign. The Franklin Board forwarded the following remit: —“’That statutory provision for imprest accounts on the lines of the ‘Counties Amendment Act, 1825,’ be provided also for electric power boards.” Air Eglinton said that he bad communicated with the Audit Department on the matter, and the department had suggested that no alteration bo made at present. Air Wylie, who moved the adoption of the remit, said that the imprest account was desirable to provide for the immediate payment of railway accounts and_wages. Mr Campbell said the Southland Board had found no necessity for the account. The accounts mentioned by Air Wylie presented no difficulty as a voucher for payment was marked “urgent,” sinned by two members, and passed at the following meeting of the board. Air AVylie said that the. provision for an account was necessary for boards whose area was extensive, as it would be often impossible to obtain two signatories to urgently required cheques. The Chairman supported the remit, as it would be of assistance to the majority of boards in the Dominion. After a long discussion, the motion, which was seconded by Air Sprague, was carried. Hie following remit was moved by the secretory of the Southland Board: —“That the Power Boards" Association be recommended to consider whether the Act should be amended so as to provide that boards have tile option of imposing graduated penalties on unpaid rates the maximum penalty to be 10 per cent. Air Campbell pointed out that on numerals cases that the. 10 per cent penalties imposed unnecessary hardship on some of ibe consumers. Mr P. H. Smith seconded and the remit was adopted. The remit from Southland, that the recommendation contained in Mr Martin’s opinion of September 11, 1834 (pamphlet No. 1. page 7, opinion No. 7) on the matter of advances to consumers for equipment be considered, was also adopted. "That the Power Boards’ Association be recommended to consider the system of arriving at the basis of paying local authorities for collecting hoards’ rates” was another Southland remit moved by Mr Campbell, who explained the disparitv in the amounts collected. Ho said that the Southland County Council would collect £44,030. for the power board this year and probably only £4OOO next year, yet the Act provided for a set basis of 5 tier cent., without consideration to the amounts collected. The. remit was adopted. Fnether remits submitted by the secretary of the Southland Power Board were also discussed and adopted as follow:—“That appliances sold under section 90 of the Electric Power Boards’ Act, 1918, be made a cnargo on the Land.” “Thai Power Boards be asked to make a practice o p exchanging’ legal opinions on matters of more or less general interest,’’ On the motion of Mr Gampbeli, it was decided tiiat the payment of subscription. 1° Power Boards* Association be authorised, ns in the case of municipal k°-j ies " present, the subscription is paid out of unauthorised expenditure. On Mr Beech*’s motion, the following Central Board's remit was carried That this conference recommends that section 73 of die Electric Power Boards’ Act, 1925. be amended to provide that cheques bo signed be countersigned by the treasurer or other person authorised by the board.” The foil owing remit from the secretary of the Hawke a Bay Electric Power Board wae submitted: “That the statutory provision for rating be amended so that power boards could levy on the local authorities and not strike a rate itself, but leave the striking of the rate itself to the local authority.” Mr Wylie (Hawke’s Bay -Power Board) pointed out that the constituent districts adopted different systems of rating, and if the board struck a rate on the capital value it would necessitate a local body rating on the unimproved value, which practically meant writing up a new rate book. The cost of the Power Board would therefore be considerably increased. It was also pointed out that the hospital boards had provision to Levy in the H. and C. Institutions Act, 1919. section 4. Air P. H. Smith said that an informal meeting of the executive had already discussed this matter. The levy mentioned was hardly applicable to power boards. For collecting a general rate, the levy would bo all right. The best idea would he, in cases where it was applicable, for the local authority to collect the amount of the rate.—The remit was adopted.