ELECTRIC POWER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 191, 14 August 1931, Page 5

ELECTRIC POWER

THE WANGANUI BOARD MONTHLY MEETING HELD. Alatters relating to the electric power and lighting of the Wanganui-Rangiti-kei district ’were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Power Board yesterday. Air F. Purnell presided, other members present being Messrs J Alorison, R. G. Dalziell, W. Alorrison. A. E. Halligan, J. Patterson, H. J. D. AlcAlanaway, P. Alunro, K. W. Dalrymple, H. Gibbons, and W. Haydon Mac Lean. Leave of absence was granted to Air W. S. Glenn.

Settlement of the question of refund from the Crown to the Board for money spent in the installation of power on properties which had reverted to the Crown was urgently needed. This was the general opinion of the Board. At the present time, the Crown was exempt from the payment of such refund to the Board. It was decided to support the Power Boards’ Association in the application to the Supreme Court for a decision on the matter.

The engineer (Air H. Webb) reported on the representative meeting of local bodies on the question of organisation in the event of an earthquake. It was agreed to fall in with anything, required by the executive, as long as any matter of finance was referred to the Board. The following report was submitted by the managing-secretary (Mr P. Smith): — The revenue for July reading is £72 less than for the corresponding month last year. The return from industrial motors was approximately £2550 less than last year. The lighting accounts were larger than for 1930 notwithstanding the lowes charges, and this was no doubt due to the dull weather conditions necessitating early illumination. A further application for supply to the Tangimoana Beach settlement has been referred to the Public Works Department. In view of the opinion expressed concerning registered charges upon property where Crown mortgages exist it will be necessary to withhold financial assistance from applicants whose property is so encumbered, pending the verification of the opinion expressed by the late Air T. F. Martin. This matter has been referred to the Power Boards’ Association urging a declaration of judgment of the Supreme Court. An application has been made to the Loans Board to confirm authority to issue debentures at per cent for redemption loan of £50,000 for which arrangements have already been made with investors for September 1. Dairy farmers are being circularised respecting installation of condensers and the reduction in charge for power as from September 1. This opportunity is also being taken of drawing attention to the necessity of having electric motors attended to for lubrication at intervals of five years. A copy of a pomphlet containing valuable information compil'd by Mr AfcLeod, engineer to the Thames Valley Electric-power Board concerning electrically driven milking plants is also being supplied to each dairy farmer. The report wa-’s adopted. The engineer (Air H. Webb) submitted the following report for the past month:— Taihape Area. —Guarantees covering a one mile extension of 11,000 volt line at Ngawaka have been signed and' poles are now being distributed. Erection will be commenced immediately polos are in place. Hunterville Area.—The 11,000 to 6,600 volt transformer has been removed from Silverhope and erected near the Rata factory which is now being supplied from the 11,000 volt line thus insuring a more continuous supply of power. General overhaul of lines in the Rata district has boon continued but progress has been slow on account of the very unsettled weather conditions during July. Afarton Area. —Reconditioning work in tho Bulls district which was held up through shortage of service polos is now being continued, good stocks of poles being available. Wanganui Area.—As the seasonal demand for new services to milking sheds and water pumps has commenced, a line gang has been continuously employed on this work during the past month. The demand, for new services in tho city has decreased and the servicemen usually employed on this work are en gaged in maintenance work on the city reticulation. The report was adopted.