POWER BOARD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 248, 17 August 1928, Page 5

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING tf • ■ ___ GENERAL BUSINESS The usual monthly meeting of the Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board, held in Waipukurau to-day, was attended by Messrs A. C. Russell (Chairman), Chas. Pattison, R. A. Fraser, F. J. Witherow, E. A. Goodger, J. A. Kerr, W. H. Rathbone, W. Malenoir, and R. A. Fraser. FAIRFIELD ROAD LIGHT. The Waipawa County Council asked for a light on the Fairfield-Waipuku-rau Road, near the old creamery. It was reported that the light had already been erected, and on Mr Witherow’s motion the action of the Engineer was endorsed. The Council also wrote agreeing to the light at the Waipawa traffic bridge being kept alight all night.— Received.

LOAN CONVERSION APPROVED. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs advised that the Minister had consented to a clause being added to the Local Legislation Bill in regard to the conversion of part of the Advances Loan (1923) to general loan purposes. £20,000 is the total involved. DOMINION CONFERENCE. Reporting on the annual Dominion Conference, the Chairman said that there had been much discussion on the subject of depreciation, and many boards were shown to be faced with difficulties. The matter of the material best suited for poles and been considered, and, incidentally, concrete had not met with favour, although one estimate of its “life” had been uJ years. He made detailed reference to a number of other remits of general interest. He had pointed out that the Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board had placed its business on a proper footing by making an adequate charge (lOd per unit) for current. Others in difficulties had made too low a charge at the outset. The solution lay in the direction he had indicated—higher charges. He had been reelected as a member of the executive. On the motion of Mr Witherow, the Chairman was thanked for his report.

FINANCE COMM! TEE’S REPORT.

EXTENSION TO PORANGAHAU. The Finance Committee reported as follows: — “That it be recommended, to the Board that the £3/3/- Engineers’ Association fee, paid by Mi" Lee, be paid by the Board.

"That it be a recommendation to the Board that the Board’s lines be extended to Mr P. Hunter’s and Sir George’s Hunter’s, via the old road (a distance of 9 miles 48 chains), and also that the Porangahau line be authorised, provided that guarantees totalling £450 be received from Porangahau (including any guarantee received from property-holders along the old road). "That it be a recommendation that the Secretary be authorised to enquire in regard to the raising of a £6500 loan, being portion of the Board’s authorisation. "That the following accounts, having been examined and found correct, be passed for payment:—lntermediate: Loan £229 7/7, fund £1502 10/10. Current: Loan £125 18/5, fund £18'65 3/-.” The Chairman said that, with three exceptions, the people of the Porangahau district had unanimously agreed to link-up with the Board’s service, and he detailed his interviews with the prospective consumers. All the homes concerned were above the minimum. He had not asked for big guarantees, as he did not consider such to be desirable. •The Engineer said that it'was proposed to supply 100 kilowatts to the area. He stated that the new general regulations provided for a guarantee of 20 per cent being charged, 1 but the Board had earlier fixed the basis as 18 per cent. Mr Pattison said that once having reached Porangahau Station, it would be very desirable to extend the line to Porangahau township. On his motion the recommendation of the Finance Committee w r as adopted. The Engineer was authorised to arrange the preliminaries as to the necessary supplies. The recommendation as to raising a loan of £6500 was endorsed.