GREY POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 23 July 1942, Page 6

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Grey Power Board last evening there were present: Messrs W. Clayton (chairman), W. Fisher, W. E. Bring, W H Parfitt, J. Unwin, J. Smeaton, P.’Blanchfleld jnr., the Engineer (Mr S. Trotter) and the secretary (Mr W. S. McClymont). The Greymouth Borough Council advised of the appointment of Mr W. H. Parfitt to the seat on the board rendered vacant by the death of Mr A. H. McKane. The chairman welcomed Mr Parfitt, stating members would be pleased to see him once more associated with Power Board affairs, and were sure he would be an acquisition. Mr Smeaton also, congratulated Mr Parfitt on his appointment, and commended the council on appointing the next in turn on the present occasion. Mr Parfitt, returning thanks, traced the advancement of the board since his first appointment as a member, and promised his best service. Mr J. B. Kent wrote thanking the board for its letter of sympathy in his illness, and requested a further month’s leave which was granted.

The Greymouth and Brunner Patriotic Committees wrote’ thanking the board for donations. The Royal Humane Society, solicited a donation, and it was decided to grant £2 2s. x The Public Works Department advised of' the Minister’s approval of the payment by the board to the chairman of a honorarium of £lOO. “Very good of them, isn’t it,” commented the chairman. The Conciliation Commissioner wrote citing the board as a respondent in a- dispute with electrical workers. The chairman said it did not seriously affect the board. Mr Parfitt referred to the cold state of the Patriotic Shop in Mackay Street. Ladies who conducted shop days each week had asked him to bring the matter before the board. “The women do wonderful work there.” said Mr Smeaton, “and the board should stretch a point anil give them a heater.” It was decided to donate a radiator.

The Engineer’s report stated that since last meeting eight new app'ications for supply have been received, making the total to date 5122. Eight new consumers have • been connected, bringing the total number of consumers up to 5119. Extensions and alterations to 32 existing installations have been carried out. Nine electric ranges have been connected. The connected load for the month with the total in parentheses is ’as follows: Light 2.190 (2125.795 k.w.); heat and iron 52.000 (4934.870 k.w.); water heating — (635,260 k.w.): power 3.00 (14.837.25 h.p.); cooking 88.880 (5455.100 k.w.). Loan for the month 146 k.w.; load at last meeting 27,866 k.w.; grand total 28.012 k.w. The maximum power demand for the quarter ended June 30, 1942 amounted to 5034 k.v.a. and units purchased 6,412,000. This is an increase over the corresponding quarter of last vear bv 28 per cent, in units and 16.7 in demand. During the quarter Slab Hut Creek Dredge commenced digging and last month Argo Dredge ceased operations. Several other large consumers had power consumptions above their previous requirements. The Secretary’s'report, as follows, was adooted: The balance of the Power Fund Account at date is £6679 7s. June revenue from sales of current was £8287 16s 2d. -June, 1941, produced £BOll 15s 7d. The un-. ward trend is almost all due to the ■increase in large power -revenue.* Financially assisted range sales now total £B2ll 10s 4d. Instalments in 90 per cent, of cases are un-to-date and the amount outstanding'is £1956 6s 3d. Messrs Hannan and Seddon have put in hand the matter of obtaining legislation to validate the board’s action in building the line to supply Burke’s Creek Colliery. Large power accounts of two consumers owing more than the July reading, I hope one will be naid by the time this report is posted, and the other has not, so far, replied to oui’ telegram requesting a cheque.