GREY POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1932, Page 6

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey 'ower Board was held last evening, here being present Messrs J. Snieatou 'chairman), J. B. Kent, H. Duggan. W. IT. Parfitt, J. Mulcare, 11. G. Carer, W. Clayton, and J. W. Greenslade. An apology was received from Mr F. L. Turley. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Chairman of the Works Committee (Mr J. B. Kent) reported as follows:— Your Committee in the person of Messrs Mulcare, Parfitt, Turley ind Kent, paid a visit of inspection to the hydro works on Monday, 14th inst. Progress.— The committe was very favourably' impressed with the marked progress that had been made since its last visit and is pleased to report that despite the initial drawbacks experienced when the new schedule was inaugurated, the work now appears to be well up to programme.

. Dam.— Sections 1,2 and 3 are completed and Section 4 foundation is completed to level 237. Section 9, | which has caused trouble till now, is complete to level 237, which brings it up to Section 10 and level with top of proposed sluice gates. It is understood that Sections 9 and 10 will be brought up to full height almost Immediately, and are naw beyond all danger. The parting wall between Sections 6 and 7 is almost completed and sealed, and the pumps should be in action now. The work remaining is Sections 5,6, 7 and 8. Sections 7 and 8 are sealed off as reported above, while as yet 5 and 0 are untouched. These sections should, however, present no difficulty as the reef is cleared of shingle by the current, and the temporary damming required for this small section (which is 30 to 40 feet) should be a comparatively easy matter. The high level suspension bridge which has been constructed by the contractor gives access to every portion still to be concreted, and is sufficiently high to .obviate any danger from floods. The structure really commands the whole of the job. The general appearance of the work is very pleasing and progress made is considered highly satisfactory by your committee.

The report was read and adopted

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Assistant Engineer (Mr R. Langboin) reported as under for the, period 16th February to 15th March, 1932:— Dobson Generating Station. — The units generated and maximum demand for the four weeks ending 31st March were as follows: — To February 20, 119,920 units, max. demand 1180; to February 27, 121,700 units, max. demand 1240; to March 5, 117,730 units, max. demand 1240; to March 12, 124,650 units, max. demand 1200; total units generated for the month 484,000. The highest weekly load factor was 61.8 per cent and the lowest 56.5 per cent. The average load factor for the period was 58.1 per cent. Consumers.— Since last meeting 15 new applications for supply of power have been received, making the total to date 2594. 14 new consumers have been connected, bringing the total number of consumers up to 2580. Extensions and alterations to 21 existing installations have. t been carried out. The connected load for the month is as follows, including one electric range:— Light: Present 3.015 k.w.; previous 1006.580 k.w.; total 1009.595 k.w.. Heat and Irons.— Present 15,340 k.w.; Previous 1763.935 k.w.; total 1779.275 k.w. Water Heating: Previous, 127.40 k.w Power: Present. 13.00 h.p.; Previous, 3586.25 h.p.; total 3599.25 h.p. Cooking: Present 7.0 k.w.; Previous 1160.4 k.w.; total 1167.4 k.w. Total load for month 38 k.w.; total load at last meeting 6592 k.w.; grand total 6630 k.w. A further 12 installations have been re-inspected and the meters changed.

Reticulation.— The 11,000 V. line section from Healey’s to German Gully has been completed. The rest of the period was occupied in connecting new consumers and in general maintenance work. The report was read and adopted. In reply to Mr Parfitt, the assistantEnginecr, Mr R. Langbein, said that the machine was now running up to its peak load, about 1200 kilowatts every day. The Chairman said he understood that before the station could carry its present load they had had to get some of the mining companies to distribute their requirements, so that they would not all be requiring power at the same time. The Assistant-Engineer agreed that such was the case. CONSULTING ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Consulting Engineers, Messrs Viekerman and Lancaster reported as follows re progress made with the Arnold River Hydro Electric scheme during the four weeks since last meeting: Weather:— Except for two wet days the weather has been fine throughout and the river has kept at a low level, giving conditions favourable for carrying on the work. Dam.— The excavation of Section 9 has been completed and the whole of the concrete, except for the sluice holes, should now be finished within a few days. Preparations are also well advanced for completing the concrete, except for sluice holes, in Section 10. The temporary parting wall through Section 6 is almost completed and this will allow of pumping out and excavating Sections 7 and 8. A trial made with pumping out this area yesterday indicated that there is every ground for hope that the temporary wall will prove watertight and that no delay will occur. We are glad to report that considerable progress has been made during the period and that the work is going on well. In reference to the above report, Mr H. Viekerman stated that sections 7 and 8 had been pumped out yesterday, and were quite satisfactory. The Chairman asked how long it would be before the works would be completed. Mr Viekerman said that about a

month would be required to finish section 7. and about another month to complete the other one. Everything was going along quite satisfactorily. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Vickerman said it would take only about n. fortnight to complete the concreting above the flood danger level. After the section at present being done was completed there would remain only another 40 feet section to do. Mr Greenslade asked if the weather would still affect progress with the protection works completed. Mr Viekerman said progress would be affected but not to the same extent as before. There would now be no complete stoppages. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Vickerman said he was entirely satisfied with efforts being made by the contractor to get tho works completed.

The Chairman said he visited the dam last Sunday and there looked to be a better prospect now than ever before of an early completion. They wanted it done before the winter and provided the weather kept good the end would soon be in sight.

When the question of the staff at the new power house came under discussion, the Chairman said he understood it was intended to have an engineer at the house, and a man doing line work, who could relieve the engineer.

Mr Viekerman said that was correct.. It would be similar staffing to that at the Marlborough station, where it had proved quite satisfactory. Mr Greenslade said it might be well if the public were informed that the works would be completed within the contract price, plus the ten per cent, allowed by law. This was according to present indications. There had been speculation by the public as to the cost of completing the works, and it was only right that they should know that it would be within the contract I price with the addition of ten per I cent.

The Chairman said it was quite right that the ratepayers should be satisfied that they would not be asked for more money to complete the works. The contract price of £llB,OOO plus the tei per cent, would complete the works and this would include a line constructed at a cost of £7OOO, which was not in the estimates. Mr Parfitt asked when it was anticipated that the official opening woulc take place. The Chairman said that according to the Consulting Engineer’s estimate, r would take place in about two months time. The Chairman said he would like to bring up the matter of the meter rent Wherever ho w°nt he had that throwi up at him. “I always refer them H James Begg Kent.” Such a rent wai the policy of all other Boards, am there was no reason why it should not be adopted here. Mr Kent said the money so collect ed went in purchasing new meters.

The Chairman said the. consumer; contended that paying this rent even month they paid for the meters ovei and over again. Mr Kent said the meter rent wm always a bone of contention every where, but when things were going al right it could be taken off. Only re cently the Auckland Power Board hac done this.

Mr Duggan said they had reducer the price of the big consumer’s powci and increased the price of the others The Chairman said the small con suiner regarded the rent as a tax.

Mr Kent said the Board had eithe to run its affairs on business lines o strike a rate on the consumers.

The Chairman said that while all would like to see the charges reduced it should be remembered that with the exception of the Government schemes the Grey Board’s power -was the cheapest in New Zealand. Though the price to the small consumer had been increased from 6d to 7d, with the Rig consumer it was the cheapest in the country. All were agreed to cut off that extra Id as soon as possible, and the reason why it had been made was that the Loans Board had forced the Board to liquidate its overdraft two years before they had expected. Mr Carter said he took it that they wanted the consumers to know that the extra Id and the meter rent would of necessity have to go in the next year’s estimates.

Mr Kent suggested that a specia cheaper rate might be charged sho] keepers who wished to> keep the light in their shop windows going all night This, however, could be discussed latei