GREY POWER BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1942, Page 8

GREY POWER BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING HELD.

MR. CLAYTON CHAIRMAN.

The annual meeting of the Grey Electric Power Board was held'last evening, and on the motion of Messrs J. Unwin and J. Mulcare, Mr. W. Clayton was unanimously elected Chairman for the ensuing year. There were no other nominations. Prior to the election, the Chairman’s honorarium was fixed at £lOO, the same as last year. There were present at the meeting:—Messrs J. B. Kent, (Chairman), W. Fisher, W. E. Pring, W. Clayton, J. Unwin, J. Smeaton, P. Blanchfield, and J. Mulcare. Prior to the election of Chairman, Mr. Kent presented the following annual report:— During the year the Board created a new record of gross revenue, and that notwithstanding increased items of expenditure under almost every head. Some £B,OOO would be available to reduce the accumulated loss brought forward, and it was hoped that within the next two years that item, now reduced to £12,000, by that £B,OOO would be completely adjusted. The Board should feel particularly gratified with those results at this time, when it was realised that some of the other supply authorities had had to have recourse to the Price Tribunal to sanction a rise in their unit rates. Large block consumers had increased the revenue by £2,363, and during the year the Board connected 154 consumers. Power purchased amounted to 21,710,000 units, with a demand of 4,136 k.v.a., at a cost of £31,263, compared with a cost of £29,349 for 21,188,000 units last year. It was interesting to note that energy sales to 14 large consumers amounted to £28,030/1/2, or 38.5 per cent, of the Board's total revenue from the sale of energy, the total revenue from this source being £72,972/1/9, £ 1,378 in excess of the previous year. The drop in revenue due to restrictions etc. was more than made up by the increase in newer sales over that of last year, the actual increase being £2,363, while the revenue due to the light restrictions dropped £985. The Government has made the final payment on the purchase of the Arnold generating station. Sundry debtors shown at £4,589, after writing of! bad debts and allowing for doubtful ones, but members could be assured that the amount showing on the books under that heading comprised 100 per cent, good accounts. The amount of £16,351 representing reticulating stocks might seem rather large, in comparison with last year, but this was largely accounted for in the increased cost of material, and did not mean unduly large stocks. During the year five and three-quarter miles of 11,000 volts line were completed to Waipuna for gold dredging, 10?, miles to Burke’s Creek for coal mining, and a branch line of 60 chains for co-operative mining parties at the Nine Mile.

Mr. Kent also expressed appreciation of the co-operation of other members of the Board, and the Executive and staff. He stated that the members of the staff overseas were in constant communication with their former colleagues, and he was pleased to report that all were alive and well. He trusted that they would have a safe and speedy return to New Zealand. He also expressed thanks to the Press. The report was adopted. It was decided that the Finance Committee comprise all members of the Board, with the Chairman as Chairman of the Committee. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Board was held prior to the annual meeting, Mr. Kent presiding. The Power Boards’ Association wrote stating that it was not necessary to obtain the approval of the Electricity Controller before making the recent five per cent, increase in wages payable to officers of the Boaid not covered by an award. The report of the Engineer, Mr. Sinclair Trotter, as follows, was read and adopted:—The outside staff have I been engaged on general mamtenj ance of lines, a considerable amount of work being reouired on the Barrytown route, Ten Mile Creek, and on the Rewanui line, all due to the numerous slips and wash-outs caused by the recent heavy rains. Some defective poles have been renewed on the Camerons route. The remainder | of the time was occupied with con--1 sumers’ service lines, testing of plant. I re-inspection work and general transformer maintenance and repair. The load connected during the month was 264 k.w., making the present load 27,310 k.w. The entering of a new financial year has.been ac-

companied by a considerable increase in load due to new dredges starting and the usual increase which accompanies the colder weather and shorter hours of daylight. We are now distributing well over 1000 k.w. at the northern end of the Board’s district, the bulk of which is used in the new areas in Inangahua County joined at various times to the Board’s original district. The Secretary’s report, as follows, was read and adopted:—The Power Fund Account debit balance is: £l,BBl/5/8; plus accounts be passed this meeting: £3,123/3/11. The debit balance after the above accounts have passed through the account will be: £3528/0/7. April electricity sales were £6,050/17/9, compared with £5,101/16/7 for April 1941. The scheme initiated in September, 1938, to stimulate range sales has resulted in total sales of £7,990/18/4, of which £1,952/15/11 is still owing to the Board. Accounts for large power are in good shape. Of the 13 consumers only two owe more than the May 1, reading, and both are considered good risks. One result of the Board’s having to build the lines to Burke’s Creek and Waipuna before the authority to borrow was received is that the local Government Loans Board cannot yet authorise the borrowing of as much money as was spent on these lines. This means that the Board must obtain legislation validating the raising of a loan for work already completed, after which, it will be merely a matter of form for the Loans Board to consider and grant the authority to borrow. In the meantime, the Board is overdrawn at the bank, but should shortly be in credit again. It was decided on the motion of Messrs Blanchfield and Mulcare that the Secretary’s report be circulated lo members prior to each monthly meeting.

BACON AND EGG PIES

ARE EASY TO MAKE.

Give the family a big surprise with Bacon and Egg Pies, which never fail to make a big hit. Individual pies or one large pie can be made. The method is the same. Line saucers with thin layers of Fether-Flake, break in one egg, a layer of ham or bacon, pepper and salt to taste. Cover with another layer of Fether-Flake. Bake in good oven about 20 minutes.

Remember to first roll out layers of Fether-Flake and leave for 15 minutes before using. This is important with all pastry and makes pastry light instead of tough. Fether-Flake is puff pastry perfectly mixed and ready to roll out, and is obtainable at all Ernest Adams' Cake Shops and Agencies at Ud. lb.