ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 5

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Tararua Board’s Progress Pahiatua, May IS. "AVe have been battling along for a number of years, and I think we have passed the turning point.” said the Mayor of Pahiatua, Air. J. D. Wilson, at the annual meeting of the Tararua Electric Power Board, following hie re-election as chairman. He pointed out that last vear'e operations had disclosed a profit of £l3OO. Mr. AVilson said he looked forward to the time when the board could supply electricity at cheaper rates. Unfortunately the board was not in as good a position as neighbouring boards in regard to tlie use of electric ranges. Until recently (he district served by the board had been fairly well provided with firewood. and during the recent depression residents had been economising in that direction. Indications now. however, pointed to a wider uoc of electric ranges, and a consequent greater demand. Messrs. AA’ilson. AA’. Britland, R. Judd and J. B. Carruthers were appointed a finance committee. In reply to Mr. C. T. Richardson, the engineer, Mr. T. Fraser, said that the loss in power factor, amounting to some JIi.OOO units, was attributed to the present transformer service. He hoped to make improvements and rearrangements which would greatly improve the position. The board’s peak load power factor was .85. Asked if other power boards showed losses in this respect, the engineer said they did. . Two concessions to consumers wlncn is anticipated will greatly increase the use of electricity in the board’s district were adopted, to be put into operation for a trial period of 12 months as from June 1 next. Those concessions entailed flip supplying of electric heaters and rangers at the cost price to the board to consumers on hire purchase agreements. The instalments in each are to be very low. and there will be no interest charge. It was further decided to reduce the range supply charge to Id. a uuit.