POWER BOARD WORK

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3211, 17 April 1928, Page 7

POWER BOARD WORK

ENGINEER'S ANNUAL REPORT.

Mr L. C. Vicary, engineer-secretary, reported as follows to the Springs-El-lesmere Electric Power Board yesterday:— \ During the year ending March 31st, 1928, line extensions amounting to approximately 407 chains have been erected, while a further 348*ehains have been altered .from low tension to high tension. This does not include low tension lines which have had te be altered for additional load, or services. A schedule of the connected load for each district has been compiled, and is on'the table for inspection, the summary being: Nnmber Load. Lighting pts. 15,115 657.130 K.W. Heating pts. 1,724 1724.000 K.W. Kanges 72 517.219 K.W. Water Heaters 41 49.950 K.W. Pump Motors 220 98.250 H.P. Separator Motors 77 27.000 H.P. Milking Motors 56 117.500 H.P. General Motors 123 544.750 H.P. Street Lights 125 12.000 K.W. Shop Lights 21 1.575 K.W. No. of consumers—l7l6. Total 10ad—3623.295 K.W. The number of ranges has increased by 84.6 per cent., water heaters by 104 per cent., the number of motors by 31 per cent., and 88 additional consumers have been added to the Board's mains. As it is now compulsory to set aside an amount for depreciation, a special endeavour will have to be made during the forthcoming year to increase the load, so that additional revenue will be available to meet this. With this end in view, the changing over to 6600 volts will be commenced immediately the remainder of the insulators arrive. I propose calling tenders for the transformers for the main substations, so that these will be available for each district as completed; it will then be possible to put a canvasser on the road. The absence of small consuming devices in the district calls for some consideration, and it will be necessary for the Board to consider the reduction of the number of units at the high rate where consumers are prepared to use 3mall domestic appliances off the iron point. I have no suggestions at the present moment to offer regarding this, but it should not be lost sight of. The statement of income and expenditure is before you and it will be noticed that the actual expenditure did not reach the estimates by approj^mately £1487, while the income did not reach the estimate by £1497. This calls for some explanation. During the year repairs and maintenance have been charged with a proportion of labour for the alteration of lines necessary for increased load, and the revenue for the sale of current is only for a period of 10 months in the Paparua area, so as to admit of closing the register on 31st March. The consumer's register has been Changed over to the new system, which has entailed an enormous amount of Work. In conclusion, I must thank the Board for. the consideration they have shown when difficulties were met with, and the staff for their valuable assistance, and also the consumers for their forebearance and patience when it has been found necessary to cut the current off.

not bring it up amid squalid and vicious surroundings. CARE OF THE CHILD. The mother and her baby are taken into a cell that is more like a room. It is warm, comfortable and spotlessly clean. The mother sits for hours with her child, rocking it in the cradle, feeding it, and doing the many things in which every mother delights. Such work as occupies her spare time is light and suited to her condition. It may be sewing or laundry work. Should the infant show suspicion of any childish ailment a doctor is called in and, if necessary, a wardress is allocated to assist. A woman prison official says:—"You can imagine how the women officers dote on it —for, after all, wardresses are women with all the instincts of motherhood. I remember how one ex-' claimed, as she dangled a baby on her knees: 'It was Dickens who wrote, as the innocent heart of a child." ' In '' There is nothing on earth half so holy their off time, which is infrequent, there is a rush of women officers to hold the baby. The sins of the mother are forgotten in the care of her offspring. ''