ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18149, 12 August 1924, Page 4

ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT.

rent load continues to be carried by the rotary converters. To complete the framing of the refuse in the destructot, a certain amount of coal is always necessary, but the steam so produced has been used for the heating of the tapid baths,, and, on occasions, for peak load reduction. For the purpose of supplementing steam for heating tbe tepid baths, an electrical heater of 1200 k.w capacitv was installed permanently ob September 15th, 1923. The heater was put into operation on September 35th, 1923 and has been used on 69 occasions, having recorded a total consumption of 664 165 units. It is used between the hours of 10 p.m: and 6 a.m., has given no trouble whatever, and raises the temperature of 125,000 gallons of water from 58deg. to 83deg. in the hours stated.

—** .. ANNUAL REPORT. ' HEALTHY FINANCES. The annual report of the Municipal Electricity Department was presented to the City Council last night. The report states:— Capital Expenditure. The additions to the electrical plant, distribution system,, and other capital expenditure, during the year amounted to £38,475. Of this amount, £23,590 was provided for out of loan, and £14,885 out of revenue, the latter including the balance of the Waimakariri expenditure.' Though the balance of available loan money is now reaching a figure that makes necessary preparations for the raising of another loan for regular extensions, the amount of capital expenditure provided for out of revenue has saved substantial interest charges and proved the wisdom of this policy. Result of Teax's Working. There are indications of. the trading departments experiencing more stable conditions, and, in consequence, the gear's working has been an improvement on that of last year. Stocks have been carefully examined and written down, and an ample stock depreciation reserve is being maintained. The yearjias been a successful one in connexion'with the upply of electricity. The revenue shows an increase of approximately £IB,OOO, or 17 per cent, over that of last year. The decrease shown in working expenses is explained by the fact that at the end of the previous year a considerable charge for maintenance of approximately £3OOO was incurred from the newly included Woolston borough, whereas, during the year under review, a similar charge of only about one-third of this amount was incurred in connexion with Papanui. Apart from these two amounts the normal working expenses have, therefore, remained about stationary. Though the number of consumers has s'hown a satisfactory increase, the increased business from existing consumers remains an interesting and significant feature of the city's electrical growth. The general extension of electrical supply has exceeded expectations, | despite the uncertainty regarding future j supply, and the consequent absence of ; any organised attempts to stimulate the business. In the case of the present (No. 5) loan, interest payments out of 1 loan, are no longer available, but the total interest charge for the year has : been substantially reduced by interest obtained from loan money being placed on deposit, while not immediately required. These various factors have coni tributed to a very satisfactory result for the year, enabling the balance of the Waimakariri investigation cost, and interest and depreciation charges to be met, and a sum of £22,790 to be carried to general reserve. The number of c'on!'humors [increased by 15 per cent, and the maximum load by 23,7 per cent. This load occurred on July 11th, 1923, between 4 and 4.30 p.m., and included 300 k.w. supplied by the Department's steam pla'ht. The operating and 'cost data fcT the electric supply undertaking are shown in Table A.

Test Boom and Consumers' Department. The increase in . consumers has resulted in the of new meters being steadily maintained. The highest number of new consumers in anv one month was 270 in May, 1923. This represents new consumers, as distinct from connexions resulting from extensions, artd !is among the highest for any one month vet recorded The new consumers throughout the year averaged 216 per-month. With the total number of meters installed now approximating 21,000, and the earlier ones having been in service for a considerable period of years, it was decided to commence the checking of meters in position, and this work has been in hand since May_ of last year. The results, while disclosing no serious degree of inaccuracy, indicate that the testing is fully justified. Street Lighting. An important stage" was reached during the year in the development of tho city street lighting, and a radical change made in the method of its control and distribution. Hitherto, it was all controlled from Armagh street power-house, with the exception of a small amount at_ Woolston, St. Martins and New Brighton. The growing demand, and consequent cxt©nsion9j necessitated tion, and street lighting transformer* have now been installed at St. Albans Park substation in the north, and Montreal street And substations in the south. This has P r °" vided four main points of street lighting supply in the ..city,' involved a complete rearrangement of all the street lighting circuits. The work was carried out successfully by the Lines Department during the year, and provides not only for immediate extensions, but for the normal growth for some years to come. The extensions authorised in November, 1921, liava now been completed, 588 new lamps having been erected during the year, bringing the totalj number- of street lamps in the city Brighton up to nearly 3000, with a total candlepower of 370,750. In table D, the size and number of lamps are shown, grouped under headings of the substations from which they are supplied, instead of under city wards as in previous reports. The bridge lighting', which was commenced last year, has been completed, making a total of 12 bridges now lighted, each with four, 250 c.p. lamps, a total of 48 lamps, which "is included in table D. , This has been a successful and'effective addition to tho city street lighting.

Loans to Consumers. The financing of installations by the • Council on- , behalf of consumers, under the Supply Empowering Act, has developed to an extent not previously reached. In order that the financial assistance thus provided might apply only to those cases for which it was intended, it was foun4 advisable to set a limit of £4O to tho amount of individual loans.. Since the Act came into operation in 1913, a total of over 1300 consumers have availed * themselves of the assistance thus provided, and a total amount of approximately £42,000 has been advanced. Waimakariri Project -and Future - - Supply. As explained in last year's report, the increase in the rate of bulk supply from the Government, and tho uncertainty regarding future supply, resulted in the Council engaging Messrs Hawley and Co. of Washington, to investigate the proposed hydro-electric development at Otarama on the Waimakariri river. Mr H. "V. Schreiber, representing Hawley and Co., considered his-, investigation sufficiently far advanced for him to return to, America in March, 1923. The work of boring, to complete the information regarding the nature o£ the river-bed, was, howeve/r, carried on under Mr Ctoyptall, resident engineer, yntil the end of May, at times with considerable difficulty. The report was completed on Mr Schreiber's return to Washington, and was received in New Zealand on. July 9th. Copies of the report, together with a covering report,, were submitted to the Council and to the Public Works Department on July 30th. As the original Waimakariri Act of 1902 provided for borrowing powers up to £300,000 only, it was decided to seek the necessary additional authorit" for borrowing up to £ 900,000, by an Enabling Bill." This was considered by the Local Bills Committee of Parliament, when representatives of the Council appeared before the Committee on August Bth, and August 15th, 1923. The Local Bills Committee reported against the measure, ■ and the Amendment of the Act as passed provided for increased expenditure for the investigation only. A model, in considerable detail, of the proposed development, was made up and displayed in the Department's show room and in one or two business premises of the city. Much public interest \Vas shown in" the proposal. ' Members of the Council visited the site on several occasions and the subject was put before a number of local organisations by means of. illustrated lectures.

- Operating. During a year of comparative freedom from operating trouble, one oil- switch failure, andMour transformer failures have been experienced, none of them of a serious nature, and none involving interruptions. In September, 1923, one of the 11,000 volt underground cables, broke down under the tramway track in Bealey avenue, but, being v part of a ring main, supply was, mainta.tned while the trouble was being repaired. In January, 1924, a severe gale was experienced, which gave rise to numerous local troubles throughout the city's distribution lines, but all were of brief duration. On the evening of Monday, December 10th, power from Lake Coleridge was interrupted for five hours 54 minutes as a result of the two"transmission lines being out of service at the same time. Of the remaining interruptions during the year, t&ree exceeded five minutes in duration, and though a number of others occurred, they were mostly only momentary. On the whole, the reliability of supply has been good. The Department's steam plant has been used to reduce peak load on 43 occasions. The maximum load carried in this way ...%vas 400 k.w. in June, 1923.. The station battery lias also been regularly used to a minor' extent for this purpose. These means, coupled with arrangements which'enable pumping and other load to be cut off when required, have- contributed to the good load factor obtained.

Extensions, and Added Areas. Extensions to the electrical system have resulted from added areas as well as normal growth of load. As from April Ist, 15)23, the districts of Papauui ([part of Waimairi County), and Brotaley (part of Heathcote County), were added to the city area, the electrical supply being taken over on October Ist and December Ist respectively. To provide for future requirements, arrangements ■were concluded with the "Works Department for the Electricity Department to acquire the whole of the present Council block (except the baths and destructor) bounded by Armagh, Manchester, and Gloucester streets. As part of the preparation of this block for the department's work, the old ferro-con-cretc tank used for heating.water for the b&ths was removed in September last. The tank was erected about 12 years ago, was Soft in'diameter and 10ft high and 9in in thickness, and its removal proved a difficult and expensive job, the use of a considerable amount of explosives being necessary. It is of interest to note that its prosaic career was varied by "its last use being for "movie" purposes in connexion with a Kellerman film. • Wiring Department and Show Boom. Work has fluctuated in the wiring department, but on the whole has been well up to the average. Besides the regular new work, the constant extensions to existing wiring confirms the conclusion that most installations prove subsequently to be" inadequate for the increasing needs of consumers. A feature in the show room business has been the successful demand which has developed for British goods in motors, electric * ranges, and irons—a field in which British products have not hitherto been so commercially successful in this district. There is considerable* evidence in other directions, also, of an endeavour on the part of British manufacturers to investigate and cater for the colonial electrical market.

Electric Vehicle Garage.. • There have been no extensions in * the work of the garage, and no increase in the number of vehicles charged, but the service rendered by some of the vehicles as their life increases, is proving an important factor in establishing the reputation oi eleetrie vehicle transport.

Power House, Destructor, and Baths Heating. Farther extensions were* found necessary in the transformer plant for local supply at Armagh street power house. About 500 k.w. of direct cur-

Various interviews and deputations followed, but without anyi decisive resuite. On January 22nd, 1924, the Government let a contract for the duplication of the tunnel for extensions to the Lake Coleridge plant, and at the close of the year under review no contract for additional supply after March, 1925, • had been concluded between the Council and the Government. The valuable possibilities at 0 tar am a Gorge are recognised not merely as of local but of national importance, and a curve drawing guage has been installed near the dam site, and regular observations are being taken of both the level and flow of the river. Special arrangements have also been made for recording the rainfall in a number of different localities, in the drainage area, and, under the supervision of Mr Forsyth, assistant engineer, valuable data is thus being accumulated. The position the Department now finds itself in regarding future supply, illustrates the fact that while a bulk supply contract at a reasonable rate may be an excellent method of obtaining supply with a minimum of trouble, such a method, may prove to be unsound if the purchaser has" no voice in determining the adequacy of provision for the future, or when such „ provision should be undertaken. A satisfactory guarantee for future requirements, or alternatively, control of the product, ion of its own supply, is the city's inly adequate protection against a recurrence of the present position.

Gperating and Cost Data. Attached to the report is a statement showing the operating and cost data (electricity supply only) for the year ending March 31st. The atat&<

ment, with a comparison for 1919, is Kevenue —; as follows: Per k.w. max. .. -21-89 21-05 1924. 1919. -^ er Capital Outlay .. 480,437 286,175 ""Includes P.W.D. snpply to city 5260 Operating Costs— k.w. P.W.D. supply to Woolston 80 Working expenses k.w. steam generated 300k.\v. (including re- flneludes local bodies supplied, newals) .. 26,181 14,960 • Cost of current 26,109 13,556 lighting. Capital charges— Street lighting statistics were as fol- . Interest .. % 19,619 11,390 i ows: _i * Depreciation .. \ 28,733 k -* 14,327 Total costs g ... 100,642 54,233 * ,100 250 1000 Total revenue .. 123,432 55,245 C p i C p ( c> p t Profit (gross) 22,790 1,012 Bt> Albana Park Max. load k.w .. 0,640 ,6 B ub series, system 618 * —• Units purchased . 21,688,000 10,614,090 Armagh atTee t S ub „ generated - 8,610 "J'™ series system .. 671 232 29 » sold •• 18 ' 9 I Montreal street sub „ street light. 1,060,938 ,11,858 , a(jrieß system . . 328 106 „ elec. vehicles 390,140 134,1C0 Beck{mham su b series „ Baths heater 664,160 ~ Local bodies lgj ISlJI? Bt - Martins sub „ Domestic .. 4,189,915 849,837 , 6eri(!g S y ßtcm .. 117 „ Commercial 0,326 1,066,163 , Tg Blrightoll su b 3 I, Power .. 8,152,077 4,574,510 .. 198 =i _ „ Losses and „ ~q 7 I Papanui subs series unproductive tem .. 69 ~ Loss percent l*.i> Bromley subs (parYearly load fae- "4.1; allel) system .. 30 tor per cent. .. Woolston enbs (part Number of Con- aHe!) system .. ISO "sumers •• -u,ue» ■ t Connected load 2,548 341 29 .. 36,393 14,020 J , Diversity factor 6.5 ' 5.j j T ota i lamps, 2918; total candle power Working costs— - I 370,750. •p.- Z m<ir . £9.27 »10.87 ' _ pjr unit sold' .V .662 d .834 d : The following number oMamps was Canital charges— I added during tho year:— Per Itw! mas, ( .. £8.57 £9.80. 100 c.p. "• .. -398 Per unit, sold .. .612 d .752 d j 250 c.p. Total costs— 4? on 67: 538 Per k.w. mas. .. £17.84: w-u.o/ Per unit sold .. 1.274 d 1.586 d p The Balance-sheet. rm,„ >^nlaneft-sheet was set out as fol lows:—

-. ASSETS. £ s. d. A •. d. Blectrioal Simply Empowering Actj- _ 10,436 11 9 \dvanoea to Owners end accrued interest •• Art Sinking 1 Pond to meet part of Sanitation Act 18 3 ' Loan , " x -d" I v>" " ' "• -1.191 16 Credit .balance at Bank jN.£. •• _ . 11,917 H 6 Electricity Distribution Lo«n No 5_ 3 .&03 13 U Credit Balance. at Bank of N.Z. .. ' 25 OCO 00On Fixed Deposit with Bftxik of N\Z. ' * •• ' 523 903 19 11 Electrical General Account— ~ o ' Credit Balance, at Bank of N.Z. .. ••• •• 2g ' 00 Q •On Fixed-Deposit with Bank- of ft.Z. •• •• > 35,002 18 0 Book Debts—Goods, Current and Sundry * .. •• Advance to No. 5 Loan Bank Account .. IM™ ° Advanco to Electricity Supply Empowering Act Account 10,017 11 Stocks—Trading Depts. and Maintenance .. ■■ <■-.«» » J Stocks —"Waterworks and General .. ... • • » » 5 1,332 17 10 Land, Buildings, Pla.pt, and Materials (at cost) ... .. . ... 471,189 IS 11 Cost of Wftitaakariri Investigation .. .. •• 9 ' 24tl J 6 Mgn ~,, lg - Papanui Beticulation as at April Ist, 1923 .. .. 5,182 0 7 Bromley Reticulation as at April Ist, 1923 , .. 1,110 18 0 Bromley Sinking Fund .. .. .. •• _ '» 11 ■* Sinking Funds .. .. •• V " , St> ' 2s3 8 6 £722,785 14 3 LIABILITIES. ft Electrical Supply Empowering Act— ■?_ £ s. d. £ sd. Transfer from. Sanitation Empowering Act Loan ... i/JOO 0 0 Transfer from Electrical General Account .. .. lu.ljj? 11 6 > • ~ 11,917 ii 6 Electricity Distribution Loan No. 5 Sundry Creditors . .. .. ... 769 6 4 Advances" from Eloctrical General Bank Aocouut .. 15,000 0 0 Electrical General AccountSundry Creditors .. .. ■■ .. .. 11,927 3 8 Papamii Adjustment Aooount ... .. .. 053 18 8' Bromley " Adjustment Account .. .. . 10 IS 4 Accrued Interest and Sundry Deposits .. ... 3,88G 6 J. Public Debt (Se©' separate Statement) ... .. 407,211 11 2 . Less part of Sanitation Empowering Act Loan flown above under Eloctrical Empowering Act Liabilities . 1,900 0 0 Total Liabilities ... 419,406 10 i Beservea — Plant Depreciation ... .. , .. .. 173,116 7 2 Benewah .. .. ••• .. .. 3,000 0 0 ' Stock Depreciation ... •• .. ... 12,533 15 2 General Bleaerve .. •• .«• .. 84,723 1 7 , " £722,785 14 3

TRADING PROFITS. Or. J. Anderson said the trading accounts showed a very small profit this veal- and svloss last year. It appeared to liim that so in© portion of the trading aocount the Council might relieve itßelf. of, for the Council was in competition ■with other pebple who were carrying on a similar business. Cr. C. Carr said he took, it that it was not desired that' the trading account should show a big profit. Cr. "Winsor: Do I understand the Committee is outting things so fine that there will not be any profit for outside bodies? Cr. Carr: No. Cr. CP. Agar said that Cr. Garr's suggtetion amounted to a charge thsu theEloctricity Committee, composed of business men,-desired that the trading department Bhould be carried on at a loss in order to discredit municipal trading: . / Cr. C. Can- said ,he did. not mt&i'i to cast aspendons on aaybedy. It was

inevitable that commercial men were not disposed to engage with enthusiasm m an enterprise with which they had little sympathy. Hie business side of the department was not pushed as it should be. Cr. A. McKellar said he felt aahamed to hear Cr. C&rr's statement. The members of the Electricity Committee did their utmost to push the business of «he department, but the department much up ag;unst general competition as any other trader in the same line of business. Cf. J.i K. Archer said that if big profits were made- it meant that the public was being plundered. If the department just [*ud its way it could! not do better. JBisc profits were not wanted. If the department withdrew its trading activities then a ring would oe formed to exploit the public. . Cr. H. T. Armstrong said tho trading branch could bo pushed more than it was. It Was a good thing to hswe the branch even if it did not make large profit. He thought the department had been doing well, and there

was 110 reason why the Council should relieve its&if of that torsaiwi ot tfauuig. Ori O. W. B. Anderson said Cr. Archer appenred to be wgnins that <UI the supply of current, whero,there wwb no competition, the Ooun6il was entitled to plunder the publio, but when, it carao to competition with legitimate business people" then Cr. Archer would allow no profit at all. Cr. J. Anderson stud that Christ - church was very ,tv©ll aesved In thO; matter of the supply of electricity.