ELECTRIC POWER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3802, 31 August 1936, Page 5

ELECTRIC POWER

CONFERENCE OF SUPPLY AUTHORITIES.

PERIOD OF INSPECTION. The twelfth annual conference of the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association of New Zealand commenced at Electricity House, Wellington, on Thursday last. Mr J. A. Nash, Palmerston North, presided. The conference was opened at 10.30 a.m. by the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works.

A remit moved by Mr L. B. Evans on behalf of the North Canterbury Electric Power Board that steps be taken to arrange for women demonstrators of a suitable type to be available for the assistance ot members, was taken in conjunction with a recommendation to the same effect from the secretaries’ conference, and carried. The Malvern Electric Power Board objected to paying full retail rates for petrol, and the following remit, moved by Mr J. Deans on its behalf, was carried: "That the price concessions contained in the motor spirit price fixation regulations be available to all local authorities, who do not resell, irrespective ot their annual minimum consumptions of motor spirits.”

MENACE OF TREES On the question of loans for dealing with the menace of trees growing adjacent to power lines, Mr Campbell Pearce moved on behalf of the Wairarapa board that the Government be urged to put through legislation which would enable power boards and supply authorities to raise without taking a poll of ratepayers a loan to cover the cost of removing trees, paying compensation, and deviating existing power lines to avoid the trees; such loans to be subject to the consent ot the Hon. Minister of Public Works ‘and the Loans Board. Mr Geo. Dash, South Canterbury, opposed the motion. His board was not being asked for compensation by the owners of trees.

In the Waitomo district, said Mr W. Sims, the Post and Telegraph Department notified the board that the trees must be removed, or else the board be held responsible. There was no question of compensation.

The chairman pointed out that the question of tree menace Was already before the Minister of Public Works, who had expressed himself as prepared to introduce legislation. The remit was lost. A remit from the Franklin Power Board that the Public Works Department be requested to assess bulk supply charges for each quarter upon the average of five peak loads, was withdrawn in favour of a recommendation from the bulk supply committee that such charges be assessed on the average of three peak loads for three successive days.

The president reported on the progress ot negotiations for the amalgamation of the association ' with the New Zealand Municipal Electric Supply Association, since the resolution ot the last conference in favour of amalgamation. The municipal authorities had met on April 2nd of the present year, and had expressed the view that amalgamation was desirable. However, matters had come to a stop with the receipt of a letter from the municipal association dated April 6th, which stated: “The New Zealand Municipal Electric Supply Association is prepared to co-operate with respect to the rights of supply authorities, and any other matters of common interest.”

INSPECTION OF INSTALLATIONS. The conference decided to request the Public Works Department to alter the regulation requiring installations to be inspected at periods of not less than five years, to read “at periods or not less than 10 years.” Mr L. B. Hutton, in moving the remit, said the initial inspection was an assurance of safety. Installations done in the last 10 years showed a higher standard of work and material, and indeed it Inspection was required every five years they must be living in a fool’s paradise. In’reply, Mr F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer ‘of the Public Works Department, said a special committee had concluded that the regulations should remain as they were. There had been an objection from Auckland that city installations were extensive jobs, but the city authorities had the resources necessary. It must be remembered that the right type of inspector was a good salesman for electricity.

“We cannot underestimate the importance ot keeping every installation safe,” said Mr E. Lyons. Christchurch. “Ten years is altogether too long.”

LOANS WITHOUT RATEPAYERS’ CONSENT.

The following remit was carried: “That, the Hon. Minister of Public Works be .asked to give consideration to the matter ot putting through legislation which will provide that, subject to the consent of the Minister and ot the Loans Board, a power board be empowered to raise, it necessary each year, without taking a poll ot ratepayers, a limited amount of money for general construction work."

Mr Campbell Pearce, Wairarapa, who moved the remit, said that money for construction work had to be provided either by loan or out of revenue. It was right that revenue should be returned to consumers in reduced charges. He was supported by Mr G. Brown, Wairarapa, who said that in communicating the proposal that boards be allowed to raise loans to the Minister ot Public Works he had suggested that the board raising the loan be required to find 20 per cent of the amount required from its funds, and the Minister commended the suggestion. Mr W. J. Holdsworth, Auckland, referred to the wastage incurred in taking polls. He knew of many polls which had cost 10s a vote, and some even £l. After the main reticulation it was impossible to get the people to turn out to authorise a loan to benefit the unfortunate country dwellers. The remit was opposed by Mr N. H. Moss, Taranaki, who said the proposal involved the vital principle laid down by legislation, that local bodies were not authorised to borrow for general purposes without polls. Exception was bade only in, cases of ex-’ treme such as tlie provision of sanitary arrangements and bridges.