OTAGO POWER BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 14

OTAGO POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING Routine business was transacted at the monthly meeting of the Otago Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon: present—Messrs H. M. Driver (in the chair), D. Boyd, P, Carson, W. B. Galloway, P. Briscoe, and J. K, Simpson. The Otago Expansion wrote with reference to the of power to the Owaka and Strath TaieriManiototo districts, stating that the executive felt that the local bodies interested could ascertain the possibilities of the various districts and take the necessary action. Should they desire it the league would, of course, assist in the matter of putting the proposals before the public meetings called ny the authorities. —Received. J. E, Summerill, J. Marshall, and J. M'Auley, Kaitangata, advised that they were still waiting to be supplied with power and lighting.—Referred to the engineer-manager for connection as soon as possible. In accordance with his notice of motion Mr Carson moved—“ That in future tho board shall not finance consumers for installation, but shall treat the cost of wiring done by the board’s wiremcn on a cash basis.” —Carried. ENGINEER-MANAGER’S REPORT. The report of the engineer-manager (Mr J. C. Collins) stated: — Main Transmission Lines.—Main lines have been regularly patrolled, and are reported to be all in good order. Power was cut off in the afternoon on one occasion in the northern area in order to renew some 11,000 volt insulators, and at the same time the insulators on the main sub-station at Waitati were overhauled. Distribution.—ln the Balclutha district 2,183 poles and 300 miles of wire have been erected to date. The men of this district have been engaged chiefly in changing transformers in order to release single-phase transformers to be used singiv. An extension was made to the 6,000-volt lino on the Kaitangata canal, and further reconstruction carried out in Kaitangata. These men are at present working at Romahapa. Jn the Waitati-Seacliff district 841 poles and eight-one miles of wire have been erected to date, and during the month six poles were changed on the line to tho Waitati Saw-mill. It was i bough I advisable to reinforce the line, particularly where extra stresses were occurring, in this manner, as the poles used throughout on this line were New Zealand cedar. in the PalmerstonWaikonaiti district 1,639 poles and 179 miles of wire have been erected to date. Tliis gang has been employed in erecting transformers and low tension and house services, to givo supply to approximately ten consumers at lumai. Ono new service and a range service at Waikonaiti, and ono now service at Karitang have been completed. Several interruptions took place during the month—ono duo to a swan getting caimht, one owing to Waipori, and on March 27 and 23 several interruptions took placo while a fault was located on the Stony Creek line, caused by one wire which had loosened, making intermittent contact with another phase. In the Milton district 1,669 poles and 202 miles of wire have been erected to date. A 42ft pole was erected at the Milburn works to replace an old bluegum pole. Reconstruction work is still being carried on in the Milton Borough, the mains in some streets being increased from 7-16 to 7-14, and in others from 7-18 to 7-16. Supply was effected to two more consumers at Clarendon, and an overhaul of switch gear and insulators at the main sub-station was made. In the Lawrence district 507 poles and ninety-three miles of wire have been erected to date. L.T. and house services have been run to Johnston’s and Evan’s Flat; ten street lights were erected and livened up at Waitahuna. These men are at present working on the sub-station at Manuka. GENERAL. Complaints are still being received from the Palmerston district, due to leakages in our system giving trouble to owners of wireless sets. One source of trouble, T feel sure, is caused through moisture getting into “ Westinghouse” Lise boxes. This dampness has on several occasions caused interruptions in service. One set of these fuses have been changed at Palmerston. and other sets throughout the district which arc causing trouble will have to be replaced by a more suitable article. The report was approved.