"HARDY ANNUAL"

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1190, 8 October 1945, Page 3

"HARDY ANNUAL"

TREES AND POWER LINES POWER BOARD TO INSPECT What is now regarded as a "hardy annual" is the frequent discussions and remits regularly presented to the annual conference of the Power Supply authorities. The matter was again under discussion at the monthly meeting of the Cambridge Power kßoard on Wednesday evening last, as s. result of the local delegates' report on the conference, and more particularly on account of recent storm damage done by trees. As previously reported the cause of the major dislocation of power on Wednesday last was due to a tree falling across the Dept.'s line near the abattoirs, while an earlier trouble ill, portion of the borough was due to a branch of a tree. The chairman (Mr M. Wells) said the Cambridge Board's remit had come before the recent conference also another from North Canterbury and the proposed Local Empowering Bill of the Thames Valley Board. Thames Valley did not succeed with their Bill, but as a result of the remits it had been recommended by the conference that the Government be asked to give Supply Authorities more power in dealing with offending trees and hedges and he felt sure that they would "get something." Mr W. Moore said iuo had lieen approached by farmers at the saleyards and they had not been too complimentary about the way a cmtain. fault at Fencourt had been handled. The engineer (Mr H. C. Oaten) stated that the cause of that trouble was a hedge blowing over the service lines and at night time the repairs had been effected as expeditiously as possible. They had done their best when lightning caused three transformers to burnt out sometime ago. This week the major power fault was the responsibility of the Dept. not the : Power Board. The impression was gained from the discussion that there was not the co-operation between property owners and occupiers and the Board that \ there should be. Mr J. Blackman suggested a field day so as the board members could see the lines for themselves and the danger of trees and hedges. Mr Oaten: It is a good idea. Other boards do it. I would welcome guidance. If we started out on a ruthless tree and hedge-cutting campaign we would have enough work for six months. On the motion of Messrs Blackman and D. M. Bourke it was decided to have an inspection of all danger points at an early date.