POLES OF CONCRETE

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3190, 14 June 1932, Page 5

POLES OF CONCRETE

MANUFACTURE IN N.Z. WANGANUI PROPOSAL. Continuous and certain employment for New Zealand men will be guaranteed if the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board furthers a policy of manufacturing concrete power poles in the country instead of importing foreign hardwood poles. Although few hardwood poles are being used by the board at present, the resident engineer, in a report submitted last week, pointed out a number of advantages which are gained by the use of certain types of concrete poles. Although his comments dealt only with the necessities of the Wanganui-Rangitikei board,, the report hap.a national significance, in that theHmiveresal adoption of New Zealand-made hardwoods would give employment to a number of men. The report of the engineer, Mr M. Webb, was brought down as a result of a request from employees of the board to consider the manufacture of the poles in Wanganui so that they might be guaranteed employment. In his report Mr Webb stated: "The position at present is that poles are manufactured for the board at Hawera, Wanganui, and Marton. the respective prices being £3 16s 6d, £4, and £3 16s 6d for a standard 31-foot pole at the site of manufacture. " Based on present prices for material, poles to the above specification could be made at a cost of £3 15s at the Wanganui yard provided a minimum of 300 poles a year was turned out, and that the men were used to the best advantage in the manufacture of the poles. If the work were carried out spasmodically, that is to say, with broken days, the cost would be greater, and there would also be an increase in cost if less than 300 poles a year were made. TYPE OF "POLE. " While the design of concrete pole at present being used is satisfactory, I am of the opinion that the concrete pole of the future will be the hollow cetrifugally-spun type. This pole has a more pleasing appearance, is better adated to fitting arms at all angles, and the concrete is more dense than is the case with the recent type of cast pole. The spun pole has been in use in Europe and the United States of America for some years, but the cost of the plant for their manufacture is very high. A New Zealand firm of concrete pipe manufacturers is at present carrying out experiments in the spinning of poles, but although poles have been-manufactured they are not yet in a position to quote firm prices. "In considering the manufacture of poles by the board's staff it would be necessary to engage an additional man with experience in concrete work, as I do not consider that uniformly reliable poles could be built with labour available. If the manufacture of poles is to be a spare-time job for linesmen there would be some difficulty in keeping the extra men engaged during the periods the linesmen were employed on line work. In/addition to that now in stock, plant to the value of £125 would be refuired. This has been allowed for in estimating the cost of manufacture. OBTAINING REINFORCNG STEEL. " Reinforcing steel of sufficient length for pole manufacture is not obtainable ex-stock in New Zealand, and as the time required for indent is approximately 12 to 14 weeks, no improvement in working conditions would obtain until that time had expired. This would mean rhat work would not start on pole manufacture until September or October, by which time the seasonal demand for additional services and extensions should have improved the working conditions."

Mr Webb considered that the extra expenditure would justify the manufacture of the poles solely by the Wanganui staff of the board.