ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3674, 12 August 1924, Page 34

ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. s WELLINGTON, August 6. The second annual eomerence of the Electric Power Boards’ Association was opened to-day, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presiding. Fitly delegates were present. Mr Nash said that '£( boards had joined the association, and ne urged that it should embrace all electrical authorities. Excellent progress was being made at Mangahao, and it vsas anticipated that power would be atailable in September next. The aim of the association was to work hand-in-hand with the Minister and the Department as being the best way to obtain results. it was decided that the electric lighting authorities, other than power boards, be admitted as members of the association. A remit was adopted that the Government be asked to consolidate all Acts relating to power boards. An Auckland remit urging the definition of the position relative to the lighting ot private houses and power installations with respect to the attitude of the fire underwriters and another bearing on the same point were adopted. In the discussion a speaker said that the underwriters wanted the board to take practically all responsibility for inspection. The Hon. J. G. Coates, in addressing the conference, contended that the system of decentralisation in distribution through power boards would amply justify itself in a few years, when more satisfaction would be felt in the system than if the Government distributed power itself. No doubt the expense would be greater, but the stimulation of local interest and the widespread use of the current would be worth it. He declared that the Mangahao scheme would be supplying local bodies round Wellington by the end of the year, and that the Coleridge extension scheme would be completed in 192 b. The Arapum contract was satisfactory. He thanked the power boards for their co-operation in making a success of n.e electrical development of New Zealanu, and paid a warm tribute to the service of the late Mr Lawrence Birks in that direction. August 6.

At the annual conference of electric power boards the responsibility of electrical licensees to their consumers was raised, and on the motion of Mr W. J. Holdsworth (Auckland) it was decided that the Minister of Public Works be- requested to define the position of licensees relative to private house and other electric lighting and power installations. The mover said that it seemed that boards were responsible for wiring done years previously, and at the recent fire in Auckland they had come in for a great deal of ridiculous blame. The proposal was carried. The question whether the present State hydro-electric works warranted a special commission or board to deal with developments and transactions arising therefrom was dealt with at some length. The Minister (Mr Coates) said it was originally intended to set up a commission, and he explained that the Public Works could draw on its workers to carry out work in regard to electrical development. Mr E. Hitchcock (city engineer, Christchurch) thought that an anomaly existed in that the body which was concerned with one phase of departmental business was striving to take over duties in other directions. Many hydro-electric officials were overworked Mr J. T. Johnston (South Auckland) said his body had received fair treatment from the department and the same opinion was voiced by the Taranaki delegate. In reply, the Minister said that in a few years electrical development would assume greater proportions than was ever dreamt of. The department would therefore have to reorganise. To some extent he favoured decentralisation, but it was impossible to give a local authority complete control. He also favoured contracts, as they knew then when the work was likely to be concluded. It was decided to withdraw the remit, the opinion being that it was quite safe to leave the matter in the hands of the Minister. It Was stated by the president (Mr J. A. Nash) that the total boards now numbered 27. Excellent progress had been made with Mangahao construction, and it was anticipated that the power would be turned on shortly. A contract had also been let for Awapuni. A remit that the Power Board Act be amended to make the minimum into ss, in lieu of 20s as now operating, was carried. The following executive was appointed for the yearMr J. A. Nash (president), Messrs G. A, Monk, C. Patterson. A. W. Rodger, F. W, Watt, A. J, M'Cundy, Kersnaw, and W. J. Holdswofth.