GREY POWER BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1934, Page 5

GREY POWER BOARD

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The Grey District. Electric Power Board hold its monthly meeting last evening; .present: 'Messrs. .1. Mulcare (Chairman;, .1. Smeaton, J. H. Kent, .1. W. Greenslade. 11. G. Carter, W. Clavfon. F. L. Turley, H. Duggan, ami W. IL Parfitt. Mr. Grcouslade asked whether I here was any report from the consulting engineers, with regard to the proposal to increase the capacity of the hydro plant. r l’he Engineer said that a report hud not. yet been received. He had a generai idea of what, was proposed, but. did not. know what the cost would be. 11. was not a. big job, he said. Mr. Kent, said that 10,000 horsepower could be developed. At. present. the capacity was only 3600 horse-

power. Mr. Greenslade: By increasing the height, of the dam by so many feet. Mr. Kent: That is so. They made that statement. The Engineer said that the matter was mentioned in some of the original reports. Air. Smeaton: When are you going to take the wires off the Taylorville bridge? ~ . The Engineer said that it could be done, if desired. They were only lowtension wires, however, and there was no danger from them. Mr. Smeaton asked whether most, ot tho wiring now being done was foi new houses. The Engineer said that was so, and not. many old houses were being linked up for power.

RIVER EROSION. Mr Turley asked whether there was a report, from the Engineer with regard to the river erosion at Inchbonnie. He wanted to know what, was being done by the Board, he said, and thought, that the Engineer would have submitted a report. The Chairman said that a majority of the Board' had decided to contribute the one-fourth quota asked for by the Public Works Department. The Board’s Engineer had inspected the position, and was convinced that there was some danger. It was a

matter of opinion as to the extent, of the danger. The Board took the broad viewpoint, that the protection work would be a safeguard, so far as the Board .was concerned, and that it would also provide full-time work. The Board was committed to the extent of one-quarter of approximately £5OO. The total cost was about £lOOO, and the Public Works Department was finding the balance, above the £5OO to be paid by the local bodies. Mr Turley said that he knew of no minute on the Board’s books, regard-

ing the expenditure. The Secretary (Mr A. .1. McDowall) said that the matter was dealt with at a special meeting. Mr Turley was away, up country. Mr Turley: There was no notice of the meeting. 1 know nothing about it, and I am opposed to the money being spent. A special meeting had no power to deal with it. The Chairman explained that the matter was urgent, and required immediate consideration. Mr Turley was not ignored, and efforts were made to get into touch with all Hie members of the Board.

Mr Turley asked what the notice was calling the special meeting. The notice he got, he said, was for a special meeting to deal with the matter of tenders for the power-line. No notice was given to him regarding river erosion, and, so far as he was concerned. Hie Board’s decision was illegal.

The Chairman staled that lie gave instructions about die holding of the special meeting, in order to avoid what looked io him something like contusion at the meeting of local bodies held at the County Chambers. If there had been aiw misunderstanding, ho would take the blame. The Board members had all been advised to attend the meeting of local bodies, and he. thought it would be more or -less ridiculous if they attended without any understanding. So far as the tenders were concerned that matter was of secondary importance. The special meeting was actually called to consider what the Board would do regarding the request by the Public Works Department. Mr Greenslade moved that the Chairman's explanation be accepted. Mr Turley said that he objected to anything being done in regard to the expenditure of £lOO, without some light being thrown on it. He was not going to agree to anything being done behind the scenes.

Mr Smeatin, in seconding the resolution, said that ho took strong exception to Mr Turley’s remarks. Al the last meeting, a letter from the Public Works Department set our. the position regarding the erosion. The matter came before the Finance Committee of the Board, and the majority decided that the Engineer should'take part in the proposed inspection. Mr Turley threatened in committee that he’ would bring the matter up in public. He (Mr Smeaton) was not going to be bluffed, and he moved the resolution that the Board should take part in. Hie expenditure. He attended the special meeting, and was one of tho.-c appointed to attend the conference of local bodies. Mr Duggan was not. present, owing Io a niisunderstamiing. Mr Turley was also absent, but ho was present al the Hospital Board’s meeting, a lew minutes later. Mr Smeaton said thal he himself might be absent, from Board meetings on occasions, but he took his' share of the responsibility, if Hie Board adopted a. certain course. It, was quite easy for Mr Turley to know what the business of the special meeting was, because he arrived in the same car as the speaker. Mr Turley said he knew what the business was, but could not attend the meeting. Now he wanted to upset, everything, because he was not present. Mr Turley: I am opposed to any underhand business. The Chairman: 1 object, '.There was notliing underhand. Mr Turley: 1 say there was.

The Chairman declared that, he would not have that sort of thing said', while he was in Hie chair. Air Kent, said that those present al the special meeting were unanimous in approving the expenditure. The resolution was approved, Air Turley recording his dissent ENGINEER'S R EPORT. The Engineer (Mr Sinclair Trotter) reported as follows for the period. April IS to Alay 15, inclusive: - Arnold River Generating Station. — The units generated and maximum demands for the period April 16 to Mtiv 12 were as follow: — Week ending April 22. K.W.11. generated, I ld.200; maximum demand, 1440; April 2!), 141,430—1453; May 6, 143.520—1494 ; May 13, 159,670—1440; total for four

weeks 591,220. The highest weekly load factor was 66 per cent, and thel lowest 57 per cent. ' Reticulation: The Board’s outside staff have been engaged on general maintenance, connecting new consumers. preparing material and liftings lor new' construction, running new mains at. Karoro and Jubilee Coop. mint!, and rearranging street lighting circuits. Consumers: Since hist meeting 17J ] now applications for supply have been received, making Hie total to date j 29 46; 21 new consumers have been j connected, and this brings the total! < number of consumers up to 2941. Ex- ( tensions and alterations to 56 existing s installations have been carried out. j Twenty radio sets and one electric ( range have boon installed’. The con- i needed load for the period is:—Light— A present 7,695 k.w., previous 1138.610; t total 1116.305 k. w. Heat and I.— pre- a sent. 26.75 b k.w.. previous 2368.450; I total 2395.200 k.w. Water Heating—■ 'I present 2.75 k.w., previous 149.00; g total 151.75 k.w. Power —-present—, d previous 4911.55 h.p. Cooking—6.s ' k.w., previous 1497.1; total 1505.6 k.w. 1 Total load lor month 43 k.w. Total load at last meeting 8604; total 8647 ! k.w. d

The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Tho following recommendations of the Finance Committee were adopted; —That accounts amounting io £824 5s 9d be passed for payment. That authority be granted for the hire for several days, of a. lorry, to enable tho salesman to display electrical goods around the country about, to be reticulated. That the Engineer be asked to report on the establishment of a. house-wiring department. The Chairman said that the Board had an overdraft, of £6312/0/7, but tho position was not exactly as had as it looked. ’The Board had a general reserve of £3060, unissued loan £3600, and £2020 on deposit, a total of £B6BO. Mr. Greenslade pointed out that the six-monthly interest bill had also been paid in advance, and that it would materially reduce itself over a period. The Chairman said he thought that the position was entirely satisfactory.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. MR CLAYTON ELECTED CHAIRMAN The annual meeting of the Board was held at the conclusion of the monthly meeting, the same members being present. ( The Chairman submitted the following report: —“It. gives me great pleasure to present my annual report on completion of my term as- Chairman. The year has been important, and 1 think you will agree that the Board is now in a better position than ever before. Perhaps the outstanding event of the year from the public

point of view was the reduction in the price of current from 7d per unit to Cd per unit for lighting purposes. We were fortunate at the beginning of the year to find a buyer for the old steam-plant, and this was disposed of at a satisfactory figure. The store site, too, has been disposed of, and I have reason to hope that the only unused asset remaining—the Dobson power house—will be sold in the near future. Another progres-

sive step made by the Board was the purchase' of a site, and premises, and the provision of up-to-date accommodation has filled a long-felt want. It was decided recently to refund the consumers’ deposits, and judging by the rush of applicants this decision was popular. It cannot be said that tlie release of a sum such as this was anything but beneficial to the business of the town. A contract has been 10l for Hie erection of the powerline to 11iiknrere, and ii is pleasing to think dial Hie residents and industries in these areas will soon have the undoubted benefits of an electrical supply. We have increased our area by Hie addition on petition of a considerable piece of country to include Ikamatmi and surrounding districts. Two loans were floated during my term, the building loan and the £16,000 reticulation loan'., paid judging by the response received, the Board’s undertaking enjoys widespread confidence. There were 165 consumers added during the past term, the number at date being 29-11. Th© growth of load has been so rapid largely due to gold dredging, that it seems most likely the generating capacity will have to be increased. You will agree with me that the policy of the Board should be to conserve the surplus revenue received from these sources, and so obviate any financial embarrassment when the dredging areas are worked out. The question of reticulating the Rotomanu district has not been lost sight of, and it is hoped, with the development of further load, that the Board may see its way clear to carry out that work. I have, to thank you for the assistance and co-operation you have given me as Chairman during my term, and I am sure my successor will be accorded like treatment. To the staff for its co-operation I extend my sincere thanks, and also to the Press for the manner in which our proceedings have been reported.” Amplifying the report, Mr. Mulcare said he wanted to emphasise the value of the whole of the staff of the Board, fie was only reiterating the statements of his predecessors, but he did fee! that, the Board was perhaps better served than any other Power Board in New Zealand, or any other local body, for that matter. He believed that was Hie opinion of the whole of the Board. He also reiterated his thanks to Board members, and said that ho hoped that, the progress made in the past, would be increased. Mr. Greenslade expressed appreciation of Mr. Mulcare's services. He had been sorely tried on various occasions, because they had had different expressions of opinion, but he had taken it all in good part, and had done his best to sec that, the works of the Board were carried on in a worthy manner. When they realised the number of industries Hmt. were cropping up, they realised Hie benefits of cheap power. v.iiich must play an important part in the development of the district. Mr. Mulcare vacated Hie chair, and the secertary called for nominations for Chairman.

Air. Kent nominated Air. Duggan, saying that the latter was practically .lie “father” of the Board, and that his services were well known. He could fill tlie nosition with credit to himself, and will! bonetit to Hie people the Board represent ed. He could have been elected unopposed, last year, but lie gave way to Air. Alulcare. Air. Kent hoped (hat they would elect Air. Duggan Hmi evening. Air. Alulcare seconded the nomination. Air. Partill, nominated Mr. Clayton. Air Greensladc seconded this nomination, slating that. Mr. Clayton was a good, solid member of the Board. on ;• show of hands, Air. Clayton was elected. by live votes to four, the voting being as follows: — For Mr. Duggan: —Messrs. Kent, Alulcare, Turley, and Duggan.

ror Mr. Clayton:—Messrs. Parfitt, Grcensladc, Carter, Smeatoii and Clayton. Mr. Smcalon congratulated the new Chairman on his election. On the last occasion the election was held, he said, lie expressed the opinion that, the limo had arrived when the country members should have a turn in the chair. In the past, there had been just grounds for the town members occupying the position. At the previous election, lie had adopted the Parliamentary rule, and supported Mr. Mulcarc, who had previously held the position. Mr. Smealon said lie was sure Mr. Clayton would carry out the duties of Chairman with credit to himself and the Hoard. lie had known Mr. Clayton for many years, and could remember when they wore both in the gold-dredging line. fie had watched Mr. Clayton’s progress. Ho did not iigreu with Mr. Clayton in politics, bill igreed that he was a man prepared Io ake his share of public work, and Io Io it. honestly and conscientiously, Rejarding Mr. Duggan, he (Mr Smealon) lad offered to support him on the preHous occasion, if ho desired the posiion, but he did not want it. Mr. Duggan congratulated Mr. Clayon, and promised the new Chairman lis hearty support throughout the mar.

Mr. Kent, also offered his congratulations. He said he had no doubt that Air. Clayton would fill the office admirably. because he was experienced — ■possibly more than most of the members of the Board. So far as the speaker was concerned, Mr. Clayton would have all possible support. Mr. Clayton had a. long list of attainments, to which some of them possibly could not aspire. He wished Mr. Clayton a successful year. Mr. Greenslado also expressed good wishes, and said that they all recognised. that Mr. Clayton had the business ability to control the destinies of the Board. fie had had a long and

varied experience, and was greatly respected throughout the district. His appointment would meet with general approval in town and country. Mr. Clayton said he wished to thank them very much for electing him as Chairman, and said he considered it a very great honour indeed to hold the position. It was quite true that he had experience on local bodies, but he had always taken particular interest in the Board because lie thought it was one of the most important bodies on the West Coast. It was helping industry and the West Coast generally. Those who went in for electric power in the early stages were to be commended for their foresight. It was one of the greatest things that had happened on the West Coast. He had seen a good deal of the West Coast, and must say that the Board had been the means of improving the position in many ways, and it would go on doing so. They had gold and coal, and only required cheaper methods of working. There was no cheaper way than by electricity. That had been proved by the coal mines taking “juice” from the Board, and not generating their own power. Ho would like to see one thing during his term of office, added Mr. Clayton, and that was that the Board should have a reserve fund. They were running a big concern, and had a lot of big consumers. Something might happen, and it. would be very fine to have a reserve fund to fall back upon. Some might think it was better to give the consumers the benefit, but. the Board could do that, and still build up a reserve fund, to put themselves in a safe position. Mr. Clayton added that he would do his utmost to keep the chair up to the very high standard it had been kept in the past. He moved that

the Board record its appreciation oi Mr. Mulcare’s services as Chairman, and said he felt sure that qvery member would agree that. Mr. Mulcare had carried out. his duties well. He had been quite capable, although he was a country member! Country members wort* not. always fur!best back in that direct ion. In seconding the resolution, Mr. Turley said that while Chairman, Mr. Mulcare had had some strenuous limes, but he had upheld the dignity of his office. lie was always fair and impartial, and gave members a “fairly good run." Mr. Mulcare said that he had done his best. The whole Board was re-appointed as the Finance Committee, with Mr. Clayton as Chairman.