ELECTRICAL PROGRESS

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2147, 21 April 1928, Page 5

ELECTRICAL PROGRESS

f E AWAMUTU POWER BOARD. APRIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of Te Awamutu Electriq Power Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs J. T. Johnson (chairman), J. G. Sutherland, A. L. Storey, G. Spinley, S. C. B. Macky, J. B. Tieasdale, and J. C. Mantefiore; the secretarymanager, 5JrjD T. B. McArthur, also attended thjfcfcieeting. . The Government Statistician advised that the 1928 Local Authorities' Handbook was now being compiled, and he asked if the Board desired to purchase extra copies.—lt was decided to order two extra copies. The secretary, N.Z. Federated Ironmasters' Association, forwarded a circular letter urging on the Government and municipal and other local bodies the necessity of purchasing in New Zealand all supplies and machinery which could be obtained locally.—lt was decided to assure the Association that the Board supports its endeavours, and where possible places its orders in the Dominion. Respecting a claim made by the Board for short delivery, on an order for tallow-wood poles, Miller's West Australian Hardwoods Company, Ltd., denied liability, and pointed out that it held a redeipt from the Railway /Department for the full number of 150 pieces. Goods in transit were at purchasers' risk, and any qlaim for short delivery must be against the Department. —The manager said he was claiming a refund from the Railway Department. The secretary-manager, Tauranga Power Board, wrote asking for copies of the quarterly meter -accounts for the past twelve months of three consumers who have lighting and heating points in the house and who milk herds of 40, 60, and 80 cows. The information wais required for comparison purposes. —Supplied. . A circular letter from the Electric Supply Authority Engineers' Association pointed out the advantages o± affiliation and urged that the Board s engineer be allowed to attend the conference in Wellington during June. The ohief electrical engineer, Public Works Department, wrote drawing attention to the necessity of an early inspection of all motor garages m the area to see that no defective or dangerous apparatus was in use. He also drew attention to the necessity of reinspetcion of all installations, and that an effort should first be made to concentrate on inspecting hotels, garages, theatres, and other places frequented by the public. The Central Board's secretary forwarded a copy of a letter received from the Waitomo Board suggesting a meeting of the South Auckland Association with a view to united effort being made to get an assurance from the Government that all requirements of each board would be met. The secretary-manager of Thamas Valley Board forwarded a draft of tjfcj decisions arrived at in the recent conference with the chief electrical engineer, Wellington, in regard to the position of boards supplying power m bulk to the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company. The chairman explained that up to 31st March the Public Works Department had (supplied Te Awamutu dried milk factory on a three-party agreement, but now that arrangement was terminated by the Department, which claimed that it could better dispose of all available power by retailing it in Auckland and neighbourhood. Te Awamutu Board had supported Thames Valley Board in its protest. As a result of representations fresh arrangements had been arrived at. The arrangement entered into had, he believed, not yet been notified, and therefore it was too soon to give publicity to details. Mr Spinley said the Department was not treating the country districts fairly. The basis laid down originally was that the producers were to have first consideration. Because the Department had over-sold its available supply it had no right to penalise the country districts. It was like a stockbroker over-selling shares. The boards should use all pressure possible to get a fair deal. Members briefly discussed the position, and agreed with Mr Spinley's contention's. ~. Mr Sutherland said the Public Works Department had in its agreement a clause protecting itself in case of emergency by ceasing supply to dairy factories; but it was quite wrong to cut them off to tak&on new customers. He would support any representations to isecure fair treatment for the if factories. It was decided to agree to the terms of the draft agreement, but was a general feeling that the Department was departing from a principle, and thereby penalising the power boards and consumers that had contributed greatly to the development of the country districts. The secretary reported that recently the engineer for the Central Hawke's Bay Power Board visited Te Awamutu especially to inquire into the use and benefits a£ static condensers. He had been sup||ed with all particulars, and expressed 'great surprise at the results obtained. The financial statement presented showed fthe power fund in debit £328 16s sd, and the loan account in debit £445 8s sd. Accounts presented for payment totalled £1464 18s 7d. The revenue for February was shown as follows: General heating and lighting and' meter rents, £IO2B Is lid; power, £1446 12s 3d; penalties and sundries, £43 15s 6d; approximate street lighting, £36; total, £2549 9s 8d This included £34 17s lid from the Kio Kio special area. In February last year the total revenue was £2321 5s lOd.