CAMBRIDGE POWER

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 5 October 1945, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE POWER

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING PURCHASE OF LAND The monthly meeting of the Cambridge Power Board was held in the boardroom on Wednesday evening when there were present Messrs M. Wells (chairman), J. W. Garland, WMoore, D. M. Bourke, N. Garland, H. A. Watkins, J. Blackman and R. Fisher. The secretary-manager (Mr F. M. Oliver) and engineer (Mr H. C. Oaten) were also in attendance. New Member Welcomed. On behalf of the Board the chairman extended a welcome to the new member representing the Waikato and Matamata Counties’ ridings in the branch’s area, Mr H. Watkins. Mr Wells referred with regret to the passing of the member, Mr J. T. Entwisle, and said that he had been an unostentatious, but nevertheless very useful and faithful member. The chairman considered a wise choice had been made in the matter of replacement. Mr Watkins suitably replied. Lighting “Kiwi” Flats The chairman of the Cambridge District Rehabilitation Auxiliary, Mr F. H. Anderson, wrote requesting the Board’s assistance in the matter of temporary lighting during the construction of the “Kiwi” Flats in Bryce Street. The chairman said he understood most of the construction would Le done out of daylight hours and that floodlighting of the area was being sought; also the temporary lighting of the several units during construction. Mr Moore said he understood now that most of the work would be done by contract in ordinai'y hours and probably the flood-lighting would not be needed. It was decided to give what assistance the Board could. Purchase of Land.

The chairman reported on behalf of a sub-committee, in connection with the purchase by the Board of seveneighths of an acre in Alpha Street adjoining the Bank of N.S.W- property. Mr Wells said that for some considerable time the Board had envisaged an extension of the Board’s offices. The Board had also desired for an equally considerable time to provide better residential quarters for its engineer. The old residence in Empire Street, alongside the offices, had long needed extensive repairs and alterations. It had been decided to acquire the land in Alpha Street and to remove the old residence to the new site and to use such timber usable from it. They had had the old building examined and it was found there was still a lot of good timber in it. The removal of the old building would then enable the Board to extend its offices when they were ready to do so. The Board* was also desirous of having poles, which were lying on Council property, stored on the Board’s own land. Further action in connection with the purchase of the section was approved. Engineer’s Report. The engineer reported total connections as follows: Cambridge and Leamington 1080, gain of 5; country, 943, gain of 3; milking motors 459, gain of 1; ranges 478, gain of 5; water heaters 1046, gain of 7; also added 2 separator motors. Total connections 2229, gain of eight for the period. Eleven new services were run and 18 poles were renewed. “A severe lightning storm on August 30 caused some damage, in that ‘three transformers were burnt out (two at Roto-o-rangi and one at Pukekura). Spares in hand were erected and damaged ones sent for repairs. “A new transformer platform was erected at Hunt’s corner, Fencourt, and a transformer erected to take care of the growing load in this area. Advantage was taken of the proximity of the 11,000 volt line to connect the transformer, thus easing the load on the old 3300 v. system.” Dairy Farmers’ Troubles. The Board discussed trouble caused dairy farmers by the power being cut off for milking owing to the operations of the P.W.D. gangs with the new high tension power lines being erected through the district. This matter and several others, also a report of the Board’s representatives to the recent Power Board conference, will appear in Monday’s issue.