ELECTRIC POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 8

ELECTRIC POWER

P.B. BOARD MEETS CURRENT FOR RADIO EXPERIMENT PROPOSED The reduction of broadcasting hours on one day a week for a short period, in order io test the results from the point of view of economy in electric consumption, was discussed at a meeting of the Poverty Bay ElectricPower Board to-day, when there were present Messrs. F. R. Ball, chairman, 11. 11. Do Costa, Chas. Matthews, C. W. Izod, J. E. Benson, J. H. Hall, W. G. Sherratt, M. T. Trafiord, and H. Helford. The board received from the Poverty Bay Health Camp Committee a request for support, and, on the motion of the chairman, a donation of £8 3s was made. A letter from Mr. and Mrs. Jack I-leency conveyed to the board the thanks of their son, EngineroomArtificer Darcy Heeney, for a parcel sent to him under the board’s scheme for keeping in touch with employees serving overseas. Mr. Heeney quoted from his son’s letter a paragraph dealing with his appreciation of the board’s attention, and stated that his son would have written personaly but for the exigencies of the service, which in recent months had been exceptional. A further acknowledgment was received from Captain W. Bourke, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and the board heard with satisfaction that both, recipients of the parcels were in good health. Cost-of-Living Bonus The finance committee reported that it had dealt with correspondence about the claims of the industrial unions for a further cost-of-living bonus. The committee recommended that the board forward the following motion: —“That in view of the fact that the primary producers, manufacturers, and business community of the country are required to adhere to fixed prices in relation to the sale of their products, this board is of opinion that a similar control and procedure should apply in regard to wages.” On the subject of a reduction of radio broadcasting as a means of economising in the consumption oi electricity, the finance committee recommended that the Power Boards’ Association be advised that accurate information of the consumption through the use of radio might be gained from a reduction in the hours of broadcasting on one day a week for, say, four weeks. During this period the supply authorities could note any variation in their unit purchases, with a view to consolidation of information.

A report from the board’s architect upon, steps necessary to make the buildings proof against earthquake damage was the subject of a recommendation that the matter receive attention immediately alter the close of the financial year. The committee’s recommendations were accepted. The finance committee reported that it had approved the placing oi an order for 12,700 super feet of cross-arm timber for stock. It had approved the action of the managingsecretary, Mr. R. P. Baigent, in filing an appeal against the calling-up for Territorial service of a power-house attendant, Mr. T. P. Stevens, whose services were considered essential. Revenue Figures

Reporting upon sales of current for the seven months ended October 31, the managing-secretary submitted the following revenue figures: Lighting, £15,115 (1940-41, £16,756); cooking and heating, £17,938 (£16,929i; waterheating, £6028 (£5438); power, £4971 (£4792). The total revenue from sales of electricity for the period was £44,052, as against £43,915 for the corresponding period last year. Tlyj engineer, Mr. F. Matthewson, reported that the maximum halfhourly demand on the Public Works Department for October was 3288 k. as against 3036 k.v.a, for October, 1940. The maximum halfhourly demand on the board’s reticulation system was 3288 k.v.a., a reduction of 9.81 per cent on that of October last year. The total of units sold, on the other hand; increased from l, in October last year to 1,742,500 during the same month this year, despite the lowering of the peak demand.