POWER SUPPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 3

POWER SUPPLY

INCREASED TOWN LOAD POVERTY BAY BOARD RAISING £IO.OOO LOAN NEW LINE PROPOSED Faced with the prospect of making provision for the supply of additional power for the borough of Gisborne, the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board to-day discussed arrangements for the raising of a further loan. The finance committee's report stated that the chairman, Mr. F. R. Ball, reported on the negotiations which had transpired in regard to the raising of a loan of £IO,OOO through financial brokers.

The loan would be for 20 years, with interest at 41, per cent, and would be on the instalment repayment principle. The money would be advanced in instalments commencing from July or August next, or possibly September, and no interest would be payable until the money was actually received. Formal details about the loan were not yet completed, but the matter was in the hands of the brokers, and the board was expecting to hear from them at any time. The board confirmed the chairman’s action in raising the loan. Use for Loan Money Arising out of the question of raising loan money, the chairman stated that a certain portion of it would- be required to deal with the supply to the borough of Gisborne. The existing lines were becoming fully loaded and it would be necessary in the near future for the board to either bring another feeder from the Patutahi substation lo the borough or else arrange for a second point of supply from the Public Works Department. He also slated that the question of providing standby transformer capacity at the Patutahi sub-station would have to be taken up with the department as the bank there at present was becoming fully loaded. The board's officers were not yet in a position to submit detailed reports, as no information was available as to the cost of a second point of supply.

The chairman moved that the executive officers be authorised to negotiate with the Public Works Department in regard to the transformer bank at Patutahi and to ascertain from it the additional cost to the board to oh tain a second point of supply rear to the Gisborne Borough Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. De Costa and carried. The report was adopted. Load on Line Mr. T. Corson asked if the continued increase in the load would mean that eventually the existing line to Wnikaremoana would be sufficient for the purpose? The board’s engineer, Mr. F. Matthewson, said that the single line would carry the load all right, but it was a source of concern because of the prospect of supply interruptions from Tuai if flic single line failed. From a service point of view a second line was advisable. The finance committee reported having considered a communication from the electricity controller and building controller in connection with the staff accommodation at Carnarvon street. The managing-secretary, Mr. R. P. Baigent, stated that the board already had granted authority for the preparation of working plans and specifications and in view of the fact that no consents were now necessary, the architect could go ahead with the preparation of these plans and speci fications. Increased Sales

The managing-secretary reported that electricity sales under schedule charges for the 11 months ended February 29, were as follows, the corresponding figures for last year also being given for comparison:—

An increase of 224 consumers had been experienced during the past 12 months, the total at the date of compiling the report being GIUI, of whom 4365 \vcre in the town and 1753 in the country. Those present at the meeting were Messrs. F. R. Ball, chairman, 11. 11. De Costa, A. A. Fraser, J. E. Benson, G. D. Muirhead, T. Corson, M. T. Trafford, 13. J. lioldsworth, C. Mills, C. Matthews and C. W. Izod. Mr. Muirhead took his seal on the board for the first time, having been appointed by the Gisborne Borough Council in place of Mr. S. H. Phillips, who had resigned. The chairman extended a welcome to Mr. Muirhead.

1939-40 1938-39 £ £ Cooking & heating 22,979 19,783 Lighting . . 23,250 22,386 Water-healing .. 7,870 6,414 Power 7,747 7,705 Totals 61.840 56,288