‘Stand-by Power Not Board’s Job’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 18

‘Stand-by Power Not Board’s Job’

If the board was going to supply emergency power to poultry keepers, what would it lead to? asked the chairman (Mr W. A. Newton) when the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board yesterday discussed a report by its engineer-manager (Mr S. E. Slatter) on the provision of stand-by power.

Mr Newton said inquiries had been made as a result of questions raised at the August board meeting about power supply for poultrykeepers, who, it was reported, had suffered losses during power shut-downs for system alterations and maintenance. “I don’t think it is the board’s job to supply standby power in such cases,” said Mr Newton. “Any other business where power is essential provides its own stand-by equipment.” Mr T. F. Carter said it would be out of the question to supply stand-by plant, for the board simply could not provide enough to give all essentia] consumers a supply. Mr L. T. Griffith said the board would supply information to those who wanted to install stand-by plants. Mr Slatter said the board already had three small plants, enough to operate <ts radio services and emergency lighting. It would not be feasible for the board to have sets capable of supplying simultaneously several scattered installations of widelyvarying types. He said a 50kw diesel unit would be an economic unit to provide a local service at Hornby, particularly for the master water-heating ripple control A portable plant would be useful for night emergency lighting. He was authorised to see if! a suitable second-hand plant i could be obtained. ' Security.— The secretarymanager (Mr V. G. Mason) reported on last month’s burglary of the board’s office at Leeston when £587 in cash was stolen after the strongroom and safe had been cut open. The board went into committee to discuss security measures since taken. Future Plans.— The present point of supply for Banks Peninsula at Motukarara would be retained until 1973

or 1974, or as long as loading conditions permitted, and at that point, a new 66,000volt sub-station would be established in the Lincoln area, said a letter from the Electricity Department. Street Lights.—Street light fittings had come to hand, and six lamps would be installed at Lincoln this week, and work would start on the new Main South road lights at Sockburn, said Mr Slatter. Kite Dangers.—The board decided to make a film dramatising the risk to life and the interruption to supply that arises from flying kites near power lines, and to arrange for its screening in schools? The meeting was told that of 38 line fault incidents at Hornby, many included removal of kites from lines.