GREY POWER BOARD

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1944, Page 2

GREY POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. In the absence of the Chairman (Mr W. H. Parfitt), Mr W. Clayton presided at last evening’s meeting or the Grey Electric Power Board, there also being present Messrs P. Blanchfield, W. McGilchrist, L. N. Downes, J. Ryan, A. L. McKay, J. B. Kent, J. Mulcare, the Engineer (Mr Sinclair Trotter) and the Secretary (Mr W. S'. McClymont). j i , A donation of £2 2s was granted the Lepers’ Trust Board. It was decided to pay a subscription of £3 3s to th e South Island Local Bodies. Advice that Mr R. T. McMillan had been elected to represent Power Boards on the Association wa's received from the Town Clerk, Christchurch, who also forwarded minutes of the last meeting at which several maiters of interest to the West Ccast were discussed. On the motion of Mr Mulcare it was decided to again suggest to the Government that a hydro scheme at Waitaha' (South Westland) be commenced as soon as possible as a rehabilitation measure. The Engineer pointed out that most of Lhe Board’s supply came from Canterbury and in bad weather the two lines over the mountains gave considerable trouble. Mr Kent also referred to the urgent need for a Westland power scheme, and supported the motion that the Government’s attention be again drawn to the matter. It was left to the Engineer and Secretary to frame a letter.

Support for a motion requesting the Public Works Department to reduce ihe cost of bulk power to Supply, Authorities was solicited by the Tmtaru Borough Council. —Received, no action being taken. Advice that if a local firm should make concrete power poles for this Board, sales tax would be payable at the rate of 20 per cent, on the price charged to th e Board for the pole, was received from the Controller of Customs. —It was decided that the matter be referred to the Power Boards’ Association.

The names of four youths selected by the Engineer out of twelve applications for the position of engineering apprentice were put in a ha! for selection, T. Feilding, of Blackball, being the successful candidate. The report of the Secretary, which was adopted, stated: The Power Fund Account bank balance stands at £17,429 6s lid. Cash receipts since the last report total £7,822 17s lOd A further investment of £2,000 in the Victory Loan has been made, making a total of £5,000. With interest, sinking fund and loan repayments totalling £8,019, due on October, current commitments, and the Government power account of over £lO,OOO to be paid by October 25, it is improbable that the Board can do any more to help the war funds on this occasion, though I will, .if the Board approves, see what can be done before the l&an finally closes. The sum of £12,603 14s 9d has now been advanced to consumers for the purchase of ranges. There is £2,043 16s 3d outstanding. Large power accounts are well up-to-date, not one being in arrear. During August the meters in group B (part of the country district) were read, and showed a revenue of £6,039 6s 9d from the sale of electricity.

The Engineer’s report stated: The lines staff has been engaged on general maintenance of the overhead system, connecting new consumers, and general maintenance of transformers and other equipment. The sub-station on the Town Belt is completed and tested, and is -ready to go into operation on the first Sunday convenient. Since last meeting 11 new applications have been received and permits issued. S'ix new consumers have been connected. Applications now total 5,305 and consumers 5,304. Conditions have been normal during the period. Two interruptions in 11,000 volt feedings occurred, one due to a tree being felled and making contact with an 11,000 volt cable oil the Rewanui_ feeder, the other being an interruption to the' Greymouth supply in the early hours of Sunday morning- last due to high tension insulators being broken by stone throwing or pea-rifle fire over the Blaketown Lagoon. The load for the month is as follows, the totals being in parentheses: Light .880 k.w. (2201 015 k.w.); heat 12.640 k.w. (5497.660 k.w.)water heating 4.000 k.w. (701710 k.w.); Power 2.75 h.p. (15134.50 h.p.); cooking 37.700 k.w. (6567.550 k.w.); head for the month 56.020 (30100.435).