POWER FAULTS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 22 March 1929, Page 7

POWER FAULTS

FAILURE OF SUPPLY

HUTT BOARD COMPLAINS

Included in the engineer's monthly report to the nieoting of tho Hutt Valley Electric Power Board yesterday was a detailod account of faults resulting in tho cutting off of the power which had occurred since tho last meeting of the board. Thero were faults on ten different days, from 21st February to 21th March.

The chairman (Mr. W. H. P. Barber) stated that these breakdowns wore not duo to any laxity or defect on tho part of tho Hutt Valley Board, except on one occasion when a stay wire fouled a low-lcnsion wire at Mellini;. Tho stoppages at limes camo from Mnitguhao, and could not bo foreseen or prevented by the Hutt Valley Board.

Mr. A. Anderson said that the position with regard to tho frequent breakdowns had been very serious, although ha realised that it was no fault of the board's that Mangahao had failed. He understood that thero was an agreement with the Gear Company that its plant should come on with 500 k.v.a. to assist when the regular current was off. Was that agreement of any value to the board? Personally, he did not think it was, and what did the Gear Company gain from it?

Mr. Barber thought that it-had been a very valuable agreement during tho dry season last year when very little power colld be got from Mangahao.

Mr. J. W. M'Ewan said that the Gear Company was obliged to giv6' tho board, ns expeditiously as possible when called upon, 200 k.v.a. in tho busy seation and 500 k.v.a. at other times. The board's demand ran into 3000 k.v.a., so it was quite obvious that the company could, not fill tho breach.

To this Mr. Anderson assented, saying that the Gear Company's plant as a standby was of. no value whatever.' Why, therefore, should tho company get cheaper power on that account:! Ho quite appreciated all that had boen done, but thought that it, could bo done 310 longer, and that the agreement should be terminated.

Mr. S. Blackley asked whether the board had been given any explanation by the Department regarding the breakdowns.

Mr. A. W. Press asked whether the Department had indicated that compensation would be paid.

The chairman pointed out that the interruption of the current, besides causing a direct loss of revenue, acted as a deterrent on new consumers. The Government, however, was doing all in its power to remedy the defects.

Mr. Blacklcy questioned this." He attributed tho faults either to faulty material, faulty workmanship, or insufficient staff. Serious representations should be made to tho Public Works Department regarding tho losses suffered by the board from breakdowns and inefficient service. An outcry would be raised against any private company acting similarly. Another matter, brought up by Mr. L. Stewart, was the loss of globes suffered by Hutt Valley consumers because of surging of the current. He himself had lost seven globes in six weeks by reason of that.

Other members also complained of .fluctuating voltage,' and it was decided to draw tho attention of the Public Works Department to the matter. A complaint is also to be made to the Department regarding the serious Josses incurred by the board owing to the numerous breakdowns in the electrical supply, and the Department is to be asked to compensate thu board for-each occasion on which the power fails.