HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17786, 10 August 1929, Page 11

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

CAMBRIDGE POWER BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Cambridge Electric Power Board was held on Friday. Those present were: Messrs M. Wells (chairman), W. Harbutt, T. A. Hicks, J. T. Entwisle, J. W. Garland, J. S. Fisher, W. Moore, F. M. Oliver (secretary), and H. C. Oaten (engineer). A vote of sympathy with the chairman (Mr Wells) in the loss of his mother was expressed in the customary manner.

Request For Reticulation.

Mr Johnstone, of Taotaoroa, waited on the Board with a request that the board should extend its reticulation to his and his neighbour’s properties. Part of his property was in the board’s area, but there was a - possibility of supplying eight consumers, some of whom were in the Thames Valley Board’s area. Mr Johnstone said he could not say what the requirements of each consumer would be—Mr Johnstone was assured that the matter would receive consideration, and the engineer was subsequently instructed to make a canvas of the district to ascertain what support would be forthcoming.

Discount Refund. Messrs E. C. Wallis and C. Andrews wrote requesting a refund of their discount forfeited through non-pay-ment of their electricity accounts on the due date. The secretary explained that the auditor was very strict regarding this matter, and the board must offer some very good reason for making the refund. The reasons offered by applicants for the non-payment on the due date was that the due date was three days earlier than usual. • Mr Ilicks thought it would be dangerous precedent to make any refund. The chairman said that both these

customers were very prompt with their payments and he felt sorry that they should lose their discounts, hut lie also felt sure that it would be a dangerous precedent to comply with the request. It was decided to inform Messrs Wallis and Andrews that the board could not refund the discount.

Power Poles. Advice was received that a consignment of 50 power poles for the board were being shipped from Australia and would arrive in Auckland on the 13th instant. The engineer stated that this consignment would meet the immediate requirements of the board. Mr Entwlsle said that the price worked out cheaper than the price asked for local poles. The chairman said he was sorry the poles could not be bought locally at a satisfactory price, and it was decided to place an order for a further supply of Australian ironbark poles.

Community Lighting. Mr C. N. Hawkes, Auckland, wrote requesting details of the board's system of community lighting to place before the Auckland Power Board. — Secretary to forward the necessary information.

Arrears of Accounts. The secretary said that the amount of outstanding accounts was growing steadily. He asked the support of the board with regard to cutting off the supply of electricity to those who were badly in arrears. The chairman said that the legal advisor to the Power Board Association, had stated that the board would be acting within its rights in cutting off the supply of any consumer who was in arrears with his electricity account, and a resolution was passed giving the secretary power to act in accordance with his suggestion. Power Board’s Conference.

Mr J. S'. Fisher submitted a report on his visit to Wellington as delegate to the Power Board's Conference. Mr Fisher was thanked for his report, which was adopted. -

Engineer’s Report. j In his report the engineer, Mr H. C. j Oaten, mentioned that total consumers now numbered 1237, a net increase of j 7 for the period. A feature of the J month’s work had been the model j heating installation in the Presbyterian Church, consisting of 20 one k.w. air heaters. As regarded efficiency and running cost, this type ofj

installation was far ahead of other systems.