GREY POWER BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1941, Page 3

GREY POWER BOARD

1 PAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS. The following summary of the Board’s operations during the past financial year, as available to the present time was submitted to the Grey Power Board on Wednesday evening, by the Engineer (Mr. Sinclair Trotter): Power purchase: KWH purchased: Year ending 31/3/40: 21,339,000; year ending 31/3/41: 21,188,200; highest demand during year. KVA: 4188— 4021; cost of power purchased £29,901—£29,349; annual load factor per cent. 60.8 —61.17. During the year ended March 31, 1940, a fairly large amount was earned for large temporary power supply, all of which had ceased before entering the financial year ended March 31, 1941. Also during the yeai’ under review two small dredges ceased operations and another was laid up for approximately nine months of the year for rebuilding. However, by the end of the year the position had practically righted itself, due to the addition of other large consumers towards the end of the period. Six dredges are under construction and at present returning a small revenue for power used on construction. Some revenue had been anticipated from the Liverpool State colliery, but owing to delays in receiving plant this colliery is as yet unable to use power from the Board’s system. / The attached list shows the amounts of revenue received from the Board’s large power consumers, the total amount being £25",387, compared with £27,278 for the previous year, the difference being due to the causes explained above. The revenue received by the Board from sale of electric energy was £70’,699, amounts derived from other sources bringing this total to £71,465, compared with £71,743 and £72,845 for previous year. The number of new consumers connected during the year was 184. The number of electric stoves connected during the year was . 103. Total number of consumers at March 31 was 4930. Generally the above figures correspond ve'ry closely with the estimates submitted last year. During the year two extensions were made to the 11,000 volt pri- , mary lines Ahaura to _ Atarau and Hukarere to Maimai, in both cases to provide power for dredging. Extensions to low-tension mains ove:

10 chains in length being practically prohibited under the Control Regulations, very little work was done in this direction. During the year the work of the Test Department covered the testing of 704 metres, routine testing of transformer oils, rubber gloves, insulating materials, transformers, instruments, etc., etc., as well as the numerous tests and technical investigations in connection with consumers’ loads installations, including radio interference and location of faults, etc. No indoor transforming substations were built during the year, but there is a growing need for two stations in the town of Greymouth—one situated at the Town Belt, Alexander Street, and another near Sawyer’s Creek on Marsden Road to cater for the fast growing residential area opened up there. Continuity of power supply during the year was , satisfactory, there being no interruptions of a prolonged or serious character. Two members of the staff are on active service, Messrs Langbein and Knight. Others have been called up but their position is not at the moment determined. Two members of the lines staff and one electrician have, during the year,' secured employment elsewhere. Mr. Kent moved that the Engineer be authorised to proceed with the matter ol erecting transforming stations on the Town Belt and Marsden Road, as soon as convenient. The motion was seconded by Mr. Parfitt, and carried. Mr. Mulcare suggested that the annual meeting, to be held next month, be postponed for a week, as at least, three members of the Board would be away with the farmers! excursion. It was remarked that,'in view of the coming elections, /some of the present members of the Board might not have to attend! Mr. Mulcare’s suggestion was agreed to, and the meeting will be held a week latei’ than the scheduled date.

•The Chairman wished those present members of the Board who intended to stand for re-election, every success in their various districts. A message from the secretary (Mr. W, S. MeClymont), who was absent owing to illness, extended good -wishes to the members of the Board, and expressed the hope that they would be re-elected.