GREY POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1940, Page 2

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. Mr J. Unwin was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Grey Power Board last evening when there were also present Messrs W. Fisher, W. H. Parfitt. J. B. Kent, J. Smeatou. W. Clayton, A. M. Carroll, and J. Mulcare. An apology was received from Mr A. H. McKane.

The Lady Galway Patriotic Guild wrote thanking the Board for supplying free electricity for use at the Depot in Greymouth. Mr A. Aynsley, Atarau, on behalf of residents o£ that district wrote thanking the Board for the report on the possibility of supplying electricity to Atarau district.

The chairman said it was nice to know that the work of the Board and engin’eer was appreciated. The Brunner Brass Band wrote asking for a donation towards the cost of new instruments.

Mr Smeaton moved that the Band be informed that it was not the policy of the Board to give donations to such organisations

Mr Kent said that if the Board made a precedent, they would have 100 many applications. The chairman said he remembered the pipe band being refused Mr Parltt seconded the motion which was carried. I The Reefton Businessmen’s Assn. I wrote asking the Board to consider I supplying Reefton with electric pow<er. The letter stated that the Association had communicated with the Public Works Minister. The .extension of the Board’s area to Slab Hut Creek had caused the Minister to inform them to open up negotiations with tha Board. The Association was aware of the expense involved from changing from d.c. to a.c. supply but was desirous of getting an improved supply. Mr Kent moved that the Association ba informed that due to the war situation no .action could be taken at present. But for the war the exteni sion could be considered. f i Mr Carroll said that wire could not | be procured and the charge would involve the whole rewiring of Reefton. The chairman said the Engineer had informed him that wire was costing twice as much as formerly. The motion seconded by Mr Carroll was carried FINANCE COMMITTEE. t Th c Finance Committee reported: The following accounts were passed for payment, since last meeting £4,291 8s 3d, to be paid £1,058 Is 3d. Total £5,349 9s 6d. The secretary’s .report was read and adopted. It was decided

to purchase a Burroughs adding machine costing £l3O and not to trad 2 in the Add-Index machine. A letter from the Brunner Brass Band asking for a donation was deferred The chairman verbally reported on negotiations between the Board’s committee' and the Engineering and Allied Trades Union. Thc report was adopted. The Secretary (Mr W. S. McClymont) reported: The balance of th<> consolidated bank account is £16,445 3s 7d. When accounts to be passed this meeting £5349 9s 6d. less those paid since last meeting £4291 8s 3d have been paid, the credit balance will be £15,387 ?s 4d. The June 1940 meteor-readiiigs produced a revenue of £BOlB, a drowof £7ll from June 1939 figures. Thfce is a drop of £BO2 in revenue foiF the kfirst three months of this finanofial year against the same period las'/year. The Board has granted assistance to 136 consumers, who have boulht ranges worth £3,829 15s lOd; deposits and instalments paid ) total £2,l® 17s 7d; balance now outstanding kJL>639 18s 3d.

Large power accounts are healthy, only oiie account being for more than the current reading. A 3 authorised by the Board, quotations for duplicators and adding machines were invited from the different agencies in New Zealand. The duplicator purchased was a Gestetner Model 66. £65 less trade allowance £l5. The adding machines hav, e been thoroughly tested and a decision arrived at. The price of the machine chosen is £130.. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT The Engineer (Mr W. S. Trotter) reported: For the period June, 19 to Juiy 16. Tne outside start’ nave been on general maintenance, coxiitectin,, new consumers, deviation of ll.Ouu volt line at Gladstone, rt-arrange-ment and erection ot extra street lighting,. re-poiing low tension line in Winnie Street and stringing heavier mains, also deviation of a section of line at Barrytown at ix-aw road. Since last, meeting 20 new applications for supply have been receive.!, making the total to date 4782. 13 new consumers have been connected and this brings the' total number of consumers up to 4802. Extensions and alterations to 47 existing installations have been carried out. 10 washingmachines and 9 electric ranges have been connected. The connected load for the period is 22,734 k.w., compared with 22.497 k.w. at last meeting. Thi> maximum demand for the Quarterended 30th June was 4021 K.V-A., or 105 K.V.A, less than the same per.od of the previous year, the maximum occurring on Friday evening 21st June, 1940. 5,578,200 units were purchased. Several substantial additions to the power load are expected during the latter part of the present, financial year. The report was adopted. In answer to Mr Clayton, the En.ginecr said that. the. Waiuta lighting had all been fixed up. Som,e change in the present arrangement would have to be made before long.