GREY POWER BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 October 1942, Page 3

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The Grey Electric Power Board held its monthly meeting last evening, there being present Messrs W. Clayton (chairman), W. Fisher, W. Pring, J. B. Kent, W. 11. Parfitt, J. Unwin, J. Srneaton, J. Mulcare, and P. Blanchlield. Mr W. E. Frizzell wrote thanking the Board for leave on pay, and for other considerations during his employment with the Board. The Electric Power Board and Supply Authorities Association advised that all Boards from which an expression of opinion had been received were in favour of the proposal not to hold the annual conference this year, and that the conference would not therefore be held. The Association’ also wrote stating, that any Board which suffered damage to its reticulation, poles, etc., through motor vehicles used by Naval, Military, or Air Forces may now proceed against the Crown for the recovery of the amount lost through such damage. The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Company advised that it was willing to take up the Board’s £3,000 loan. The Secretary’s action in writing to the Company suggesting that they also take the further £7,000 was endorsed. Mr J. Finlay wrote stating that though he had been turned down for military service some time ago, he now had an opportunity to serve in the Records branch of the Army Department. and he asked that the Board grant him leave of absence for the time in which he .will be required by the Army. On the o ground of his efficiency as a member of the Board’s staff, and also the fact that he would be employed in an office, Mr Smeaton moved that the Board take the necessary action to retain the services of Mr Finlay. The motion was seconded by Mr Blanchfield and carried, Messrs Parfitt, Mulcare and Unwin dissenting- ...

The Finance Committee’s report, embodying the following report from the Secretary was read and adopted: The Power Fund Account balance at the bank is £5089/15/7. September meter readings totalled £9164/8/9. The range sales for the period bring the total since the scheme started to £9226/16/4, with £2219/18/9 still outstanding. An order issued recently by the Building Controller restricts the installation of electric ranges and water-heaters to cases where they are needed to complete a new house. The idea is to conserve the stocks of wiring materials in the country, and will mean that, with the exception oi ranges already ordered, the sales under this heading will practically cease, as it is difficult to obtain building permits. There is, however, a clause which permits a supply authority to exercise its discretion in cases of hardship, as, for instance, where no other form of heating or cooking exists. Large power accounts are satisfactory. The Orders-in-Coun-cil authorising the raising of a loan of £3OOO has been gazetted. Steps have been taken to raise the money which should be in hand before the end of the year. The Engineer’s report, as follows, was adopted:—Outside staff have been engaged on general maintenance of the overhead system, connecting new consumers, building 11,000-volt line ; to Kumara Junction, extensions to ; low tension mains for the Govern'ment mining housing, also on’work for the Barrytown Gold Dredging Company and Dobson Collieries. Some necessary maintenance of transformers and indoor substations was carried out during the period. The load connected during the month was 122 k.w., making the present load; 28,394 k.w. The maximum demand for the quarter ended September 30

( was 5130 k.v.a. and the units purchased were 7,168,000, increases of 22i per cent, and 25.2 per ( cent. respectively over the corresponding period I of last year. During the period Sunder review two momentary interruptions occurred on the total supply, and on September 23 during a severe thunderstorm a pole carrying power

to Dunollie and Rewanui was completely shattered by a lightning discharge, disorganising the supply over that line until the pole was replaced. A’nother. short interruption occurred in town, due to a runaway horse and lorry colliding with a. high-tension pole in Leonard Surest, causing breakage of overhead cables.