ELECTRIC SUPPLY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3823, 19 October 1936, Page 5

ELECTRIC SUPPLY

TE AWAMUTU POWER BOARD. THE OCTOBER MEETING. Mr J. T. Johnson presided at the monthly meeting of Te Awamutu Electric Power Board on Friday, and also present were Messrs W. J. North, N. M. Lethbridge, J. G. Sutherland, J. C. Montefiore, A. L. Storev, J. B. Teasdale, and S. C. B. Macky. The secretary-manager, Mr D. T. E. McArthur was in attendance. The secretary’s reply to the chief electrical engineer, Public Works Department, that he did not know of any Diesel engines being installed in r factory or workshop in the Board’s territory was approved. A'/ter the letter from the Director of Housing, Wellington (published in last issue) was read, it was explained that the Board’s inquiry was relative to the possibility of the Board erecting one or more dwellings for renting to its permanent employees. It was noted that the Department of Housing intended to concentrate its activities in the cities for the present. The secretary reported having applied to the State Advances Corporation to cancel the Board’s application for a loan of £5OOO. He explained that the offer of the State Fire Insurance Office to advance the money had been accepted. Interest and sinking fund would each be at 3i per cent, and the term of the loan was 20 years. ' Members approved the acceptance of the loan on the conditions stated. The postmaster forwarded particulars of the forthcoming “ health stamp ” campaign, and asked for the Board’s co-operation. It was added that last year’s campaign produced £11,983. The chairman said last year the Board purchased £2 2s worth of the stamps. Members decided to authorise expenditure of a similar amount this year, remarking that it was an estimable cause and deserving of support. The Electric Power Boards’ Association wrote stating that arrangements were in progress for appointing a lady cookery demonstrator to tour New Zealand, and inquiring if the Te Awamutu Board was desirous of co-operating in the project. The. chairman doubted whether there was real need for such demonstrations in the Board’s territory. He said the project was the outcome of wishes expressed at a recent conference of power supply authorities. In Te Awamutu district the reduced rates for cooking from lid per unit to Id per unit would bring all the demand that the Board could cope with. If a big accession of new business was forthcoming the Board would not be able to supply the additional equipment in view of the scarcity of copper, and thus there would be disappointment. Members agreed, and it was decided not to participate in the project this year. Participation in a national scheme of advertising to popularise the use of electricity was discussed, and the chairman quoted a statement that the novelty of electric heating, lighting, and power was wearing off, and the public now regarded electricity as a necessity. He said the Board’s record month (September) was proof that the novelty was wearing off. Very few homes in the territory now remain unconnected, and the number of electric stoves, power plants, and electric milking machines, to say nothing of washing machines, shearing plants, and pumping motors, was increasing very fast indeed. The opinion was expressed that to use public money for advertising the use of electricity against privatelyowned gas light and power projects, or oil-driven engines, was, hardly fair. Further, there was no need to boost the use of electricity, for low charges were having the effect of winning more consumers month by month. It was decided not to participate in any national advertising scheme. A list of remits from the parent body presented by a deputation to the. Minister of Public Works, with comments on each, was presented and each explained in discussion.