LIGHT AND POWER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 4

LIGHT AND POWER.

OPUNAKE SCHEME. BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Electric Power Board was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs C. A. Trotter (chairman), J. B. Burton, W. L. F. Chambers, E. A. Collins, G. Goodwin, J. Hickey, junr., and J. S. Tosland. Further correspondence was received from the New Zealand Electricians’ Federation with reference to the action of the engineer concerning the installation made by Messrs Gyde and Barringer on the property of Mr R. Hunt, and it was decided to request the Public Works Department to investigate the matter and report to the iboard. The Rahotu Co-operative Dairy Co. wrote asking inquiry into fusing of the company’s motors. The letter of the secretary in reply stated that a full voltage was maintained continuously as far as tests and the smooth running of other motors on the same line could show, and if, as was alleged, several motors had been burnt out the board could not offer any explanation as to the occurrence. , On the motion of Messrs Chambers and Tosland, it was decided to refer the company’s request to the Public Works Department and ask that the inspecting engineer forward a report to the company. NEW RETICULATION.

A request that power for motors be made available at four o’clock instead of five on Fridays and Saturdays was received from E. H. Gray, Pungarehu, and it was decided to reply stating that current would be turned on as early each morning as water storage permitted.

A. F. Chapman wrote asking that the continuation of reticulation down the Lower Kahui Road be proceeded with as soon as possible. The engineer and Mr Goodwin were appointed to canvas the road, it being decided that reticulation be proceeded with immediately if the prospects were satisfactory. Provided a sufficient guarantee was forthcoming, it was decided, on the motion of Messrs Tosland and Hickey, to reticulate portion of the StratfordOpunake road within the board’s, area. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr C. M. StowersCowley) reported as follows: — During the month construction work on the Cape Road was completed and the consumers have all been connected up. The high tension line on the Kahui Road has been extended a distance of 35 chains and this section will be livened up as soon as the transformers are to hand. Extensions are at present being carried out on the Warea Road where the line is being extended as far as the Newall Road. Seven new lighting connections, one milking motor and three water pumps have been connected for the month. The linking up with the New Plymouth supply has been completed, and the area between the Stony River and Pungarehu is being supplied from New Plymouth during the dry spell. It has been necessary to close the plant down between the hours of midnight and 4.30 a.m. so as to allow the lake to fill up. The plant has been operating satisfactorily, and maintenance has been normal. A new switchboard and metering equipment has been erected on the town sub-station.