FARMERS ANNOYED

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1190, 8 October 1945, Page 2

FARMERS ANNOYED

POWER CUT OFF MILKING BY HAND It was obvious from the remarks made at the monthly meeting of the Cambridge Power Board oh Wednesday evening last that some of those dairy farmers whose properties are in ,the line of, or adjacent to, the new high tension power line that is beingerected through the district, are very annoyed at the lack of consideration to them in the shutting off of power to enable the heavy main trunk lines to be dragged over the top of the local service lines. The subject was introduced by Mr W. Moore, who stated that certain farmers had complained to him that the power had been cut off with little or no warning and that they had been left to milk considerable herds by hand. Mr. Moore explained that the trouble was the result of the Public Works Department's lines gangs hav-, ing to drag these main lines up and over the top of the local service lines. They used tractors to draw the lines up stated Mr Moore. He stated that apparently the men erecting the lines didn't consider the settlers at all, but turned the power off and left them to 1 milk by hand. "In one case they left a settler and his wife to milk 75 cows by hand. That is too hard, especially on the hands of women who have not milked for some time. I certainly think we should take the matter up with the Department so that arrangements can be made that will not penalise the farmers so much." Mr J. Blackman and other members supported Mr Moore and Mr Blackman mentioned that he had been spoken to by farmers. Mr Moore: We should take the matter up and insist that the lines gangs have the dragging of the lines portion of their work completed by 4 p.m. each day so that power would be available again for the milking period. The chairman: I agree something should be done about it. We will ring the Dept. first thing to-morrow morning. Mr D. Bourke: I think it is reasonable to ask the Dept. to see that arrangements witht he settlers are made in advance so that there will be as little hardship as possible. A motion was moved by Messrs Moore and N. Garland and carried unanimously that the Dept. be ap- I proached immediately. J