ELECTRIC POWER AT OPUNAKE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 May 1928, Page 12

ELECTRIC POWER AT OPUNAKE

A GREAT INCREASE. YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED. An interesting report was submitted to the opunake i-'ower Hoard at \ es-terda.v’-s meeting by the retiring chairman, Mr. C. A Tiotter, showing tliat since its lorination in 1923 the increase in demand had been steady and sustained, with a corresponding increase in revenue, totalling now £*10,320, with a generation of 1,158,000 units. in his .annual report Air. Trotter, who had been chairman of the boaru since its inception, said all would agree that the past year had been the most trying since the inception of the scheme, owing to the exceptionally dry spell bringing about a serious shortage. Although at times the service had not been satisfactory owing to this trouble, he thought the board could congratulate itself on having made such rsatisiuctory arrangements for a supply lrom outside, without which they coulu not have - carried on. The New 1 iymouth borough supply had been most satisract-oyy and of great assistance, and he expressed his appreciation ot that borough’s readiness at all times to assist them. Tiie installation of additional plant would eliminate any troutile in the luture from low voltage and water shortage. installation of the bearing thermostats had been completed, and the underground cable had been altered and brought into operation. Provision had been made for the plant to close down automatically in case of overheated bearings, belt breakages, or low oil pressure. Disconnection of the water heaters became imperative, and although the (onsumers were perhaps inconvenienced to a .certain extent, they should feel gratified that a satisfactory service for mctors was maintained. If nits generated for the past four years were. 1924-25, 473,700 units; 1925-26. 772,500 units; 1926-27, 1,086,59.) units; 1927-28, 1,158,600 units. The annual revenue had increased from £9200 to £10,300. The 1927-28 revenue was made up as follows: lighting, £4033 14s 2d; general power, £1551 5s 2d; milking power, £3502 17s 8d ; water heaters, £430 11s 6d; stoves, £51.9 17s; street lighting, £144; penalties, £l3B 11s lOd; total, £10,320 17s 4d. The year’s levenue would have shown a greater increase had not the drought been experienced. The system had had to be closed down for a total of 500 hours. No unit revenue was being earned during that time. Mr. Trotter thanked members for their help and co-operation during the year, and the secretary and engineer ■or their assistance and advice. The report was adopted. E. E. TION OF CHAIRMAN. .Mi'. C. A. Trotter stated that he did not intend to accept renomination .or the chairmanship, and nominated Air. (1. Goodwin. This was seconded by Mr. J. Hickey, and Mr. Goodwin was elected unanim. usly. On assuming the chair, Air. Goodwin e.vpiesscd thanks for the confidence phi ed in him. He voiced his appreciation of the work of Mr. Trotter, who had seen the scheme grow from a small local one to its present size. First there had l.een the extension to Raliotu, tlfen that to Pungarehu, and later to Stcn.v River. Recently the board had been supplying right through to Cmntrt, a distance of 35 miles. That in itself must be very gratifying to Mr. Trotter. The relations between the chairman and the board had been amicable, he said, and he hoped they would continue to work in unison, for there was a h a.v programme ahead. .He added that he considered there was room for economy in the work, and it was necessary to secure every saving possible where it did not disturb efficiency. The people were, he said, 'oo'-ing for an efficient service run as economically as possible. Mr. ( handlers said that Mr. Trotter was not responsible for the position reaching a point where it was nec-es-sarv to reduce running costs or to strike ;•) rate A motion of appreciation of flic late chairman’s work was placed on record and he was granted an honorarium of £IOO in recognition of his services.