GOOD POSITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 7, 20 October 1941, Page 4

GOOD POSITION.

POWER BOARD FINANCES. REVENUE STILL INCREASING. The Ashburton Electric Power Board met this morning,, when there were present Alessrs E. F. Nicoll (chairman), W. H. Woods, J. AV. M. Dart, AV. 11. Bundle, J. Carr, AV. G. Gallagher H. J. Crothers, H. Alorris, H. R. ,\Vn|>l!l- - W. Bryant and R. J. Mulhgm. The financial statement showed that revenue since the previous meeting had totalled £6781 7s lOd, which was an increase of £slo'os 3d over the amount received in September, 1940. Domestic services showed an increase of A'-M 16s ‘2d. Revenue for the first half °‘ the hoard’s vear amounted to £37.•’■‘2o 10s 7d, a rise of £3294 3s 2d on i Incorresponding period ol last year. The Engineer-Secretary (Air H. v.. Kemp) reported that during the month, considerable time had been devoted to the overhaul of lines, mainly on the restraining and repairing of wires. Lines overhauled included HighbankBarrhill, Carew, Buccleugh and Staveley. Aiany cases of damage througn vibration were found and repaired.. Twelve poles we?e erected in seven new service lines. Trees were trimmed atEaling, Hinds, Springlield-Lyndhurst, Valetta, Staveley and Dromore. The Running-Engineer (Mr A. T. Saunders) reported that units supplied by the Public AVorks Department had totalled 1,649,700. The faultmen attended to 530 calls during the month. The Inspector (Mr AV. G. AVelsh) reported that the wiring department had been fully occupied during the month and several additions had boon made to the connected load. Included in the load this month were 13 ranges, 13 water-lieaters, and 24- motors, and 13 new consumers had been added. The chairman said that the Power Fund Account showed, on the financial statement, an overdraft of £9BBI 19s 3d, but included in tnis were stocks to the value of £BOOO, so that the position was a very healthy one. A cornpreheiisive report on the proeeecdings of the annual conference of Power Boards and Supply Authorities at Wellington was given by the chairman, who added that the South Island was in a much more favourable position, as far as supply was concerned, than the North island. It had even been stated that the day might come when power from the South Island would be taken across the strait by cable. One of the remits presented to the conference was that the Government be asked for an assurance that sufficient power will be available in the South Island for 1942 and thereafter. In a reply the Chief Electrical Engineer (Air I’. T. AI. Kissel) had said that with the absence of any abnormal weather conditions, the likelihood ot power shortage in the South Island next month was remote, and that the hoped for completion of the Highbank station by the following winter would safeguard the position for a considerable period. It was intended to rely to the fullest extent possible -on the Waitaki station, so that water reserves might be built up at Coleridge and AATupori to meet the winter demands. The chairman was thanked for bis report and for his 10 years’ service as a member of the Dominion Executive, a position from which lie had retired. The balance sheeet for the year ended on March 31, 1941, was received from the Audit Department, without comment by the auditors. Atom her.s considered this reflected great credit on the staff.