LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 260, 21 August 1950, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Routine Faults Only Faultmen of the Ashburton ElectricPower Board responded to 59G calls during last month. All were of a routine nature.

Units From State Supply Units supplied to the Ashburton Electric-Power Board during last month totalled 2,717,865, while the maximum demand was 5475 kva between 7.15 and 7.45 p.m. on July 27, compared with 5362 kva between 7.30 and 8 a.m. on July 18, 1949.

Timaru Competitions Taking part in the Timaru competitions on Saturday, Patricia Arnst, of Ashburton, was placed second in the Sword Dance under 10 years, second in the Seaun Triubhais (South Canterbury Championship), under 10 years, and was v.h.e., in the Skipping Dance, under 10 years.

Many More Motors Installed With a further 61 installed last month, the total .of motors connected up with the Ashburton Electric-Power Board’s system is nearing an average of one per consumer. Motors now total 5242, and consumers, with 24 added last month, 5896. Included in the motors installed were 35, 25 and 10 horsepower machines/for the Cavendish lime works. Three others were of 1| h.p., and the remainder below that power. In addition, 52 meters were installed, bringing the total to 10,019.

Extension of Power District

“Some people consider the Board should not go outside the district when any in the present district are not connected up,” commented Mr S. P. Taylor, at to-day’s meeting of the Ashburton Electric-Power Board, when formal steps were initiated for inclusion of part of Geraldine in the Ashburton district. The chairman (Mr W. H. Woods) replied that npbody in the present district would be prejudiced by the extension. It was really to enable some in the present district to be connected up that the alteration in the boundary was being made.

One Chance in 20,0G0,00C The accidental use of the wrong key showed a New Plymouth businessman that the key to the front door of his home could open the front door of his office, and that his office key would fit the keyhole in his front door. The keys are of a well-known type. Each such key and its associate lock are designed differently by making slight but complex variations in such parts as keywaye, tumblers, pins and ser 7 rations. According to a recognised authority on keys, what has happened at New Plymouth is the mathematical chance of one in 20,000,000. Power Quotas Exceeded Though only by a slight margin in each instance, consumers in the Ashburton Electric-Power Board’s district have consistently exceeded the quota during the past five weeks, according to figures submitetd at the monthly meeting to-day. The excesses for each week were as follow: Week ended July 16, 1.1 per cent.; July 23, 2.04; July 30, 1.07; August 6, .41; and/August 13, 2.46. “We have managed to keep within reasonable limits of our power unit allocation by control of water heaters,” stated the running-engineer, Mr A. T. Saunders, in his report to the meeting. R. Social and Dance There was a very good attendance of members and'their friends at a social and dance held by the R.A.0.8. Lodge in the Hampstead Hall on Saturday evening. Music for dancing was supplied by Bros. D. Chapman and S. Wilson. Extras were played by Master G. Glenie and Mr Johnson. Mr Johnson also played selections on the bagpipes. Novelty dances were won by Bro. C. Wilson and Miss C. Thomas, and Mr and Mrs Joyce. A competition was won by Mr J. Lilley. The masters of ceremonies’ duties were carried out by Bros. P.‘Miller and E. .Fergusson.

Bright Aurora A bright aurora was seen from Wellington on Saturday evening. The predominant feature of the display was a bright dawn-like glow. Mr I. L. Thomsen, director of the Carter Observatory, said that observers on Campbell Island had reported a very brilliant display lasting most of the night. A small but highly active sunspot group had been watched with interest at the observatory all last week, he said, and bad radio disturbances tvere predicted for Friday. “From the past and present studies of solar activity at the Carter Observatory and the occurrence of magnetic and allied disturbances, it seems highly probable that we are entering a period during the next year or two in which some very great auroral displays may be expected,” Mr Thomsen said. —P.A. Power Revenue Drops

Apart from sundries, revenue obtained from operations of the Ashburton Electric-Power Board last month showed declines under all headings, compared with returns for July, The total revenue for the month was £7061, a drop of £344. Under the different heads, the revenue totals last month were: Domestic £4149 (drop of £34), commercial £1269 (£303) and power £1482 (£11). Sundry revenue increased by nearly £5 to £l6O. For the four months ended on July 31, however, there was a total increase, to £35,833, of £957. This was spread over the following: Domestic £22,834 (increase of £1047), commercial £5280 (drop of £286), power £6547 (increase of £173), public lighting £573 (increase of £45) and sundry £598 (fall of £22). The chairman (Mr W. IT. Woods) commented that the drop for last month was practically wholly due to the restrictions. Interesting Debates Two debating teams from the Catholic Club were guests of the High School Debating Club on Saturday evening. The junior debate for new speakers was on the subject, “That the cinema undermines the character of our youth.” The affirmative was taken by Messrs L. McDonnell and H. Stace (Catholic Club) and the negative by Messrs G. Macfarlane and D. Inch (High School). The negative won by a small margin and D. Inch was judged the best speaker. The senior debate on “That young people to-day have foo much freedom” was also won by the negative, Messrs T. Cleary and K. Bryant (Catholic Club), the affirmative being taken by Messrs R. Hyland and B. Jolly. Mr T. Cleary was judged thei best speaker. The meeting was chaired by Mr B. Cameron, and Mr A. Wood was time-keeper. The judges, Messrs H. Kennedy and D. E. W'ood, gave helpful, criticisms and commended the high standard of speaking.