POWER BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 18930, 2 May 1923, Page 6

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board was held yesterday morning, the Hon. A. F. Hawke, M.L.C., being in the chair. There were also present Messrs T. Buckingham, E. Bowmar, E. Cody, A. W. Rodger, H. E. Niven, H. Fowler, Jas. Macalister, W. Norman, A. le H. Hoyles and T. Fraser. An apology for absence was received from Mr R. A. Rodger. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Committee reported as follows: Having examined vouchers and relative accounts amounting to £22,884 6s 8d and recommended that they be passed for payment. Having received an opinion from the Board’s solicitors, Messrs Macalister Bros, with regard to the proposal to erect a toll gate at Monowai with a view to restricting and regulating the traffic passing over the Board’s road leading to Lake Monowai, the opinion being that the Board would be acting legally in erecting such gate and in instituting a system granting permits to persons wishing to pass through the gate with vehicles, and also that the Board should make a charge for such permits. ' The committee resolved to recommend the Board to make a charge of 6d per head with a minimum of 2/6 per vehicle. Having approved of requisitions amounting to £582 10s 6d, subject to their being found in order by the Requisitions Committee. Having held over the question of the purchase of land required for Winton and Invercargill substations and having decided to obtain the approval of the Invercargill Borough Council for the erection of a sub-station within the Invercargill area of supply. Having considered a communication from the Wyndham Catholic Church Committee respecting the Board’s charges for electricity supplied and having decided to make an allowance as suggested by that committee. Having considered a communication from Mr W. King and others of Waianiwa, asking for the immediate erection of a short stretch of pole line enabling their premises to be linked up to the present power supply and having decided to leave the matter in abeyance in the meantime. Having approved of the recommendation of the engineer in reference to the purchase of two bulk supply meters from Messrs Ferguson Pailin and Co., Ltd., Manchester, for unbalanced load at £ll6 ss—each c.i.f. Bluff. Having resolved to pay to Messrs Hay and Vickerman through the Board’s solicitors the sum of £124 0s 4d in respect of travelling expenses, etc., in connection with the completion of the work of locating houses. Having authorised the reduction of the insurance cover on the Board’s offices to £4,000 and having instructed the secretary to negotiate with the Insurance Department with a view to obtaining a reduction in the rkte at present being charged in respect of the building. Having approved of a recommendation from the engineer for the purchase from the National Electrical and Engineering Co. Ltd., of 2 standard rotating meters at a price of £24 16s and £4l Bs. Having received tenders for the plumbing work required in connection with the Board’s new store and having accepted that of Mr R. G. Spiers, being the lowest at £241 13s. Having deferred authorising the execution of the new contract with Messrs Butler Bros, in the meantime. Having discussed complaints received from various quarters with regard to the outside work of distribution and having instructed the engineer to make a report to the Board dealing with the matter in general. Having examined four plans and traverse sheets of complete surveys of the land required by the Board in the vicinity of the Monowai depot totalling 281 acres 3 roods 15 poles and recommending that the said plans be approved by the Board and that they be handed to the Survey Department for further action. Mr Fowler moved an amendment that clause 2 of the report dealing with the question of the Board having a toll gate provided on the road leading to Lake Monowai should be referred back to the committee for further consideration. Mr Norman seconded the amendment, but on being put to the vote it was defeated, and the committee’s report was adopted in to to.

CORRESPONDENCE. The National Bank of N.Z. wrote advising that they were unable to pay the Board more than 4 per cent, from April 1 on loan moneys remaining in London.—The Board decided after discussion to refer the matter to the Town Committee to go into and to report at the next meeting. The Town Clerk, Riverton, wrote urging the Board to push ahead with the work of linking up private houses in both north and south Riverton for the supply of current.—The engineer reported that the work was going ahead as well as could be expected though he was not altogether satisfied. Mr John Eades of Edendale wrote asking whether the cancellation of his contract with Messrs Lane and Coy for the wiring of his premises had been considered by the Board. —The secretary stated that this particular work had been included in the Board’s contract with Messrs Lane and Coy and that it could not very well be deleted. The Board decided that a circular should be issued to all consumers setting out that they were free to make their own arrangements for having work performed which was outside the work specified in their agreement with the Board for wiring and installing the electric light and that should they have any complaiht to offer they should do so direct to the Board which would have the matter investigated. Messrs Vernon Smith and Coy asked that they be relieved of their duties as local hardware buying agent to the Board as from that date. —Agreed to. The hon. secretary of the Riverton Progressive League thanked the Board for the prompt and satisfactory manner in which the street lights for Riverton had been completed- Mr Fowler said it was very nice when people did things like that as it showed that they appreciated the work of the Board. The Town Clerk, Otautau, wrote stating that the deputation from the Board would not be able to attend at the next meeting of the Power Board. GENERAL BUSINESS . It was decided to hold the annual meeting of the Board on May 22. The Hon. A. F. Hawke, acting chairman, was authorised to act and sign cheques on behalf of the Board pending the appointment of a chairman at the annual meeting. The tender of the National Electrical and Engineering Coy. at £4581 for the supply of lighting arresters for the main transmission lines was accepted.