POWER BOARD

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1689, 21 November 1925, Page 5

POWER BOARD

MEETING OF TE AWAMUTU BOARD.

GENERAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED,

The monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board was held at the Board's office, Mutu Street, on Friday, when there were present: Mr ■J. T. Johnson (chairman) and Messrs G. iSpinley, C. G. Dawnes, A. L. Storey, J. A. G. Sutherland. S. C. Macky, F. C. Parlane, N. M Lethbridge, and F. C. Daniell. The manager, Mr D. T. B. McArthur, was also present. IMr J. iB. Teasdale, junr., was granted leave of alsence. The Waitemata Electric Power Board secretary wrote: "My Board is considering insuring against public risk, more particularly during the period •of construction, and I shall be much obliged if you will advise me as to how your Board dealt with this matter, and what rates are being charged."—The secretary's reply that as the Te Awamutu Board has not had such a risk covered no information is available was approved. A 'Christchurch firm wrote drawing attention to a ne'w device for direct drive on .milking machine or water pump motors, and suggesting that the Board should demonstrate the attachment.

-Mr Daniell thought the direct drive attachment should be demonstrated in the Board's area. He thought one apparatus should be obtained from the makers, so that district dairymen could nivestigate an d make comparisons.

(Mr Downes questioned whether it was in the Board's province to push any particular firms' goods.

IMr Parlane: It is to our interest to introduce cheaper electrical machinery.

,-£ IMr Danisll said the ne'w device would dispense with the usual engine room, shafting, etc. ,at milking sheds, thus considerably reducing initial costs. He thought the Board should take up the 'matter, for there was no wered,' more re3'TAOD:NS.HRDUILS!H\ doubt it 'was a forward step. In ensured more reliability for users of electric current, thus affording a greater advantage over oil engine power.

The chairman commented that so soon as the ißoard has its own showroom that is the class of equipment that should be displayed, for anything that will reduce production costs to the dairy farmer was of advantage to the Board in popularising the use of electrical power. It. was decided to procure the 'equipment on .consignment. A further appeal for funds to meet the cost -of the Auckland Provincial Court at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin Iwas made, it .being pointed out that another £I2SO is required to make the court presentable. The counties should have contributed under, the assessment £3706, but the amount actually promised by them is only £9OO. 'Similarly the •boroughs were assessed at £2700, but the amount provided is £IBSO. The chairman, in 'moving that the letter be merely received, commented that the Te Awamutu Borough Council and Waipa County Council had each contributed and they represented the Board's own ratepayers, so it would only be duplicating the levy if the Power Board contributed. The matter "had 'been discussed at earlier meetings of the Board.—Agreed to. The chief electrical engineer, Public Works Department, forwarded a copy of the last annual report on hy-dro-electrical development in the Dominion.

The Board wlas advJised offiicially that the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act, 1925, recently passed 'by Parliament, will come into operation on April Ist, 1926. An Auckland firm wrote giving particulars of red cedar poles which were claimed to be Very suitable for hydroelectric purposes, and are almost exclusively used in the* United States and Canada. It 'was stated that American red cedar is . lighter than Australian hardwood, while its durability Is quite as good. The initial cost is lower, while handling charges are lessened by the fact that cedar poles are lighter. The manager said that on the prices quoted the smaller sizes were cheaper than hardwood, but that saving did not apply on the larger sizes. 'Mr Lethbridge commented that it would be safer to rely on the hardwood poles. !Mr Daniell took the view that a trial shipment would be Avorth while. Red cedar is a sequsia. Mr Lethbridge said if that was so there were some growing in Te Awamutu. IMr Sutherland said there was need to try different timbers. The chairman, smiling: I like to see other Boards experimenting, and we can profit by their experience. 'Mr Sutherland: Yes, but they won't always do it. We must do our share of the experimenting. Mr Spinley suggested referring the letter to the Forestry Dpartment for an opinion. |Mr Daniell: Yes, that's a sound idea. Mr Ellis, the Director of Forestry, is a Canadian and he can give us useful information. •Mr Macky thought further inquiry could meantime be made as to prices of the smaller sizes of red cedar. It was decided that the manager make further inquiry from the Foresfity Department and from the Auckland firm. The chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr Sutherland, said the .September revenue from sales of current were: General lighting £469 17s Id, power £899 10s lid, heating £236 lis, penalties £25, meter rents £45 4s 6d, approximate street lighting £36; total for month £1712 4s 3d. The total for September, 1924, was £1330. Continuing, Mr Sutherland quoted the financial position at date as: Power Fund Account, £7019 dr.; Consumers' Finance Account, £1517 dr.; Kio Kio Loan Account, £3988 cr. A rough plan of the proposed new offices was presented, and the executive committee's recommendation that it be submitted to an architect for revision or approval was agreed to.— Details were left in the hands of Mr Daniell and the manager. It was decided, on the recommenda-

tion of the executive committee, thafc £3OOO of the Kio Kio loan, be placed on fixed deposit for three months.