Thames Valley Power Board

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6171, 12 January 1922, Page 2

Thames Valley Power Board

January Meeting • The nrdiosry monthly meeting of tho Thames Valiev Eleciric Power Board wits held at Te Aroha on I'ues'lay afternoon, Mr F M Strange pres'ding Also present were— Messrs F. Fla.tr, 0. A. Arthur, F H. llaxion, J. Pdi’en, J. Miller, Jap. Bell, J. B. Thomas, J Price, P. Grace and W, J. McCormick. Mr J. W. Andersjn was granted leave of ab ence. The chairman slated that the manager had notified the Minister for Public Works that the delay in stationiug an engineer in each centre of the district was due to tbe extra attention being necessary whore lines are being erect 'd in proximity to the telegriph aud telephone lines. Aii-ing ont of the breakdown of switch gear at Waikino, cansing tlie shutting oil of power on the lines in this district for several hours last Thursday, the manager reported that the break was probably caused by some unauthorised person tampering with the switchge«r soon after midnight. He had taken steps to have tho switchg-ar taised out of reach of passers- bv, and he was arranging to having a continuous tel-phone connection from Te Aroba bureau to the depots at Paeroi and Matamata, thus making it pos'ibie to get into direct communication with those places at aDy hour of tho day or night. The chairman, in support, said

that last Thursday morning at a very early hour, he had to come into town, get a member of the eloctrical staff, aud proceed by motor to Waikino. This trip would probably not have been necessaty if continuous telephone communication bad been available. The manager’s action was approved. A new basis-of agreement with thß Te Aroha Borough Council, respecting the erection ol lines in the borough was approved. Tho chairman read a report (already published) of the last meeting (on Armistice Day) of tho South Auckland Power Bovds League, explaining some of the decisions come to and the reasons therefore.

Tbe Putaruru District Development League wrote asking iu what direction beyond Putaruru power lines would be taken, and just what area w.uld bo reticulated by the beginning of next milking season. Tho engineer recommended that before the Board approves the agreement with the New Zealand Co.-op. Dairy Co for tho supply of power, a j supplementary agreement should be prepared between the parties in the matter of tbe dairy company abstaining from selling power to any other party. The manager’s action in notifying two ratepayers at Matamata tha> wiring installations to their pjopertie aro unsatisfactory was approved. Tho engineer reported that authority had beou obtained from the Public Works Department to use bare wires in portions of . Morriasville borough. It was decided, ou the recommendation of the engineers, to reticulate the Turua district as the first part of the Hauraki Plains districts. The secretary, Ngarua Farmer's Union, wrote asking it the Board would be (able to reticulate the Ngarua district iu time for the next dairying season. To Mi Thomas, the engiuear said eight men were engaged on the poling hue towards Morrinsville. Four cross-aimers were also on that, line, aud the wiling gang was following up as closely as possible. The line was alive ”as far as Waitoa. Mr Ball asked if theie was any intention to extend the wiring to Motumaoho, where a good revenue would be quickly foithcoming.

A member : Morrinsville first ! Mr Bell : Of-couise, but when ths town is served I think the line could, with protir, lie extended to Motumaoho, where there was a good farming population. * Mr Flatt asked if two gangs were sufficient in the Netlierton district.

Mr Gauvain said two gangs were most economical there at present, but later on a third gang may be created. Mr Flatt : It will take 1500 poles to reach Ngatea, Mr Gauvain : We cannot expect to do the Plains this year. Mr Milter : The engineer should look over the country and decide which lines would return best revenue.

Mr Miller suggested that the eni giueer, roauager and-local rnemb-r should decide procodure ia that district. —Agreed to. The chairman said he thought this would be satisfactory. The Beard’s present transport would not be satisfactory on the Plains roads. To Mr Thomas, the engineer said that by the end of February or first week in March wiring would be completed into Morriusville. The poling wa3 almost compl -ted, aud the poling in the town itself would be pushed ahead as fast as possible

To Mr Thomas : The chairman said the poliug and wiring of Stauley road through Te Aroha West would be dealt with when the Morrinsville lino was completed. He agreed that this would be a good paying line, as the district was closely settled aud easy for poling. Mr Price gave notice to ’move at next meeting that a committee be set up to reorganise the outdoor work of the Board’s staff.

Mr Thomas supported the suggestion that pole-cartiug on the Plains bo let as a contract. He thought the contract system, uuder supervision, world be very much cheaper aud more satisfactory. He asked that the engineer report, to the next mseting as to the advisibil ty of letting pole cartiug and erecting, or any other work by contract. Mr Miller supported—Agreed to.

Mr Price, on behalf of a rate payers, asked the engineer when power would bo available at (Jko oir \ or within a mile of lint township on the Cambridge road. Mr Gauvain stated that, under normal conditions, power would be available in about six weeks. To Mr Miller, the chairman said tho Board would welcomo the erection by sottlers of their owu lines, provided such lines wore or cted to meet the requirements ot the Board’s engineers.