GREY POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1932, Page 6

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey Electric Power Board was held last evening. Present: Messrs J. Smeaton (chairman), J. B. Kent, J. W. Greenslade, W. 11. Parfitt, 11. G. Carter. JI. Duggan. J. Mulcare, F. L. Turley and W. Clayton. The Secretary was instructed to report to the next meeting as to the question of insuring the Board’s new plant, and also as to whether it should be insured against earthquake, the rate for which was stated to be 84 per cent.

The Chairman of the Works Committee (Mr J. B Kent) reported as follows: The Works Committee visited the Headworks on Monday, 15th inst.. and submit the following report: Members present were Messrs Parfitt, Mulcare and Kent. The phenomenal rainfall on Friday, 29th January, caused a very high river, displacing most of the pumps from their positions and breaking up the temporary side wall at tho south end of the excavation in the river, also sweeping away the back wall which prevents the lower water entering the excavation. Trams and other temporary work used in the construction also suffered. Tt has taken some time to recondition the temporary work and got tho pumps into service again, but the contractor is now in a position to proceed with tho permanent work in sections in a much more securo and systematic, manner than nofore, and your committee without making any authoritative comments,, sees no reason why the work should not now proceed without any serious and prolonged interruptions. Regarding the timber on the low lying portion of land above tho dam which will be destroyed when the lake is formed, we would recommend that this matter be gone into so that same may be removed, thus obviating the unsightliness of dead trees and water logged timber interfering with the Intake. Regarding the timber referred to in the report, Mr Learmont stated that when the dam was completed, about six acres would be flooded. /The timber on that area was vested in the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The scenic reserve, however, would only be affected for about half a chain. The timber on the area was mostly white pine.

The Chairman said that previously when the Commissioner of Crown Lands had tried to sell the timber, it could not be done, but nowadays the sawmills were “skinning” out the paddocks of farmers. An offer had already been received for the timber there. —The matter was left to a subcommittee consisting of the Chairman and Messrs Kent and Turley, to dispose of the timber and the report was adopted. In reply to Mr Kent, the Engineer, Mr Sinclair Trotter, stated that there had been an increase of consumers since last year. This time last year there were 2,400 consumers and now there were 2,579. Mr Greenslade said that unfortunately the revenue had not gone up in comparison with expenditure. The Chairman said they had to realise there had been a slump in the mining industry, which affected not only the miners, but also the Board. Many had been compelled to ask the Board to cut off their power as they were not employd. and could not pay for it. The Engineer stated it must also be taken into account that the power prices had been reduced. Mr Greenslade said they had not the Tyneside mine this year, which brought in £1,500 last year. It would not do for the whole, connected load to all come in at once.

Tho Engineer said the Wallsend and Blackball mines agreed to do their pumping from midnight to 6 a.m. -when the load is light, and this relieved the station considerably. The Blackball mine was using a 150 horse power pump, which required 16 hours’ work ing a day. Mr Greenslade said they had not the winter loqd on yet The Chairman: The Board have certainly got to have the hydro completed at all costs, before winter. Mr Mulcare: “Given everything favourable, T would like to ask Mr Vickerman when the hydro works will be readv for usage?” Tho Chairman said that matter could be discussed after the Consulting Engineer’s report had been read. CONSULTING ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Consulting Engineers (Messrs Vickerman and Lancaster) reported as follows re progress made on the Arnold River hydro electric works during five weeks since last Board meeting:— Bad weather and high river conditions with a very high flood on 29th January have again seriously interfered with progress. The damage done to the dam by the flood which occurred towards the end of last period was repaired and the excavation of Section 9 was almost completed and prepara* tions made for concreting when tho flood of 29th January occurred. This was the highest so far experienced and overtopped the temporary works and damaged all tho pumps and me : tors, as well as carrying away all bridges and tramways. Unfortunately the river remained high for a long period delaying repairs and salvaging of pumps. Everything is now repaired and in readiness for work to proceed in accordance with the programme already submitted to you. At the Power House the small items required to complete the work are now receiving attention. The lower end of the tail race has now been opened into the river. About 20 mon are now employed and provision has been made for increasing this number directly they can be placed.

Mr Vickerman (Consulting Engineer) said Hie. day previously a. motor had been burned out, but had been replaced by one which was now connected to the pump and work was going along satisfactorily. The contractors should be concreting the dam in a day or two. They had got into a position to concrete when the flood came on January 29th. The contractractors now had the pumps going again, and would make a start on Section Nine, whilst at the same time they would also bo preparing for the two other sections. The river was now comparatively low and if it remained so there would be no difficulty in getting the work done. After ten days the contractors should be clear of difficulty from floods. Tho Chairman stated the contractors

were going to concrete a 30ft section at the right bank first. When the flood had come, the contractors had tried to remove their pumps, but the river rose so rapidly that they could not got them out. Everything now pointed to the contractors getting well forward with, the work, provided they had ten days without flood, which would allow them to be clear of any danger. It was most essential to get the work done, as the Board wanted the power for winter supplies. He asked Mr Vickerman if the contractors were doing all that was possible io speed up the work. Mr Vickerman replied that tho contractors were doing all they possibly could and were co-operating with the Board in every way. Everything was in train for the work going along satisfactorily.

Mr Greenslade asked how long it would be, provided the weather held good, before the contract was completed. Mr Vickerman replied that, according to the programme submitted to tho Board, it would take seventy working days. Mr Turley: That would bo near the end of May? Mr Vickerman said that in ten days the contractors would get half of the river worked off, and tho portions whore they would have the foundations in would he used as a diversion channel. The work on which the contractors were now engaged would not bo safe for ten days. Mr Greenslade said that under any circumstances it would be May or June before the new power was available. He asked if there were any possibility of generating electricity by letting the water now available be put through tho intake. Mr Vickerman said that it would not he satisfactory as it would not supply any power. There would be no guarantee of gaining any power in this manner, until the damming was practically completed. Mr Greenslade asked if there were any other method by which they could augment the supply. Mr Trotter said that they would trv to carry the load somehow, although it would probably mean a big inconvenience. Mr Clayton said he was sure tho Board would get the co-operation of the consumers. Mr Turley: It is like Mr Forbes! Tie is carrying a load, and has got in a box, and can’t carry any further. The Chairman said that only by distributing the load over the most favourable hours would it be possible for the Board to handle the load. Therefore, Board members could see rhe position the Engineer was in.

Mr Greenslade said that everything was going alright, until the delay occurred with the hydro works and it was now costing the Board some £6OO every month. It was costing the ratepayers a large sum of money. When the plant was finished the Board would have to face the position of a deficit instead of a reserve. He thought it was as well to let the public know of this position. The Consulting Engineer’s report was adopted. The Chairman said that, in consequence of some criticism in the press as to there being' little or no business at the last meeting of the Board, he would like to point out that it had not been the custom to hold a meeting in January, as there was always so little business, but one was held last January, and thus there was very little business. There had not been the slightest intention of keeping anything from the press. The matter that was dealt with in committee had been so dealt with in the best interests of the contractors and the ratepayers. ENGINEERS REPORT. The Engineer (Mr Sinclair Trotter) reported as under for the period 13th January to 16th February, 1932:—Dobson Generating Station. The units generated and maximum demand for the five weeks ending 13th February, were as follows: Week ending 16th January, 1932, 104,660 k.w., maximum demand 980 k.w.; week ending 23rd January, 1932, 110,800 k.w., maximum demand 1200 k.w.; week ending 30th January, 114,230 k.w., m.d. 1180 k.w.; week ending 6th February, 108,670 k.w., m.d. 1020 k.w.; week ending 13th February, 113,270 k.w., m.d. 1040 k.w.; total units generated for five weeks, 551,630 k.w. The highest Weekly load factor was 64.6 per cent and the lowest 54.9 per cent. This week the Station is again being called upon to carry heavy overloads. Since last meeting 12 new applications for supply of power have been received, making the total to date 2579. Fifteen new consumers have been connected, bringing the total number of consumers up to 2566. Extensions and alterations to 31 existing installations have been car tied out. The connected load for the month is as follows, including three electric ranges: Light, previous 1001.020 k.w., present 5,560 k.w., total 1006.580 k.w.; heat and irons, previous 1740.335 k.w., present 23.600 k.w, total 1763.935 k.w.; water heating, previous 119.40 k.w., present. 8.00 k.w., total 127.40 k.w.; power, previous 3564.5

h.p., present 21.75 h.p., total 3586.25 h.p.; cooking, previous 1140.9 k.w., pre- 1 sent J 9.5 k.w., total 1160.4 k.w.; total load for month, 73 k.w.; total load at last meeting, 6519 k.w.; grand total, 6592 k.w. During the period 20 installations have been reinspected and the meters changed. Reticulation: The stretch of 11,000 V. line forming part of the Totara Flat extensions from the present terminal beyond Ngahcre to Gorman Gully is under construction, all poles having

been erected and wire stringing started. The Dredging Company have also started construction of their 11,000 V. private branch line from the main road to the upper end of the claim. The : Substation at the Abattoir with extension of 11,000 V. Feeder is almost finished. A small amount of necessary , maintenance has been carried out and : services run to new consumers. On Friday, 29th January, during the heavy rainstorm, an interruption to supply took place owing to a stroke of light- ■_

ning hitting the high tension line in the vicinity of Ngahere. Insulators were shattered—a quick repair being prevented owing to flood waters and slips blocking the roads. One disconnecting line switch was surrounded by flood water, thus preventing the loss of power being confined to a smaller area of supply. An interruption to the supply in the Rewanui Valley also took place on the same day and later ih the week owing to a fall of rock from a steep face in the 10 Mile Creek.

A pole in the 11,000 V. line was bro- ; ken and had to be replaced. Owing to • erosion by the sea at the Nine NHlo ! one pole was shifted where the County Council are reforming the road higher ■ up on the hillside. A sighting track : has been cleared where growth occurs • from German Gully to Ikamatua and , the line pegged to the latter township.