OPUNAKE POWER BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 July 1928, Page 8

OPUNAKE POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Opunako Electric Power Board was held at Opuuako yesterday". There were present: Messrs. G. Goodwin (chairman), A. E. Coffins, J. Hickey, \V. L. F, Chambers and J. P. Burton. The- resident engineer (Mr. T. B. Merson) reported that the station had operated continuously and efficiently during June. The- total number of units generated was 103,700, as against 87,900 for the same period last year, representing an increase of 15,800 units, or 18 per cent. The automatic voltage regulator, which had been out of adjustment for some time, had been thoroughly overhauled, and was now functioning accurately. An abnormal- flood was experienced during the month, causing considerable inconvenience at the intake. As the scour gate in the weir was at present, it -was impossible to operate it during flood times and, in fact, during normal stream flows it was necessary to use a timber jack before the gate could be operated. The present- accumulation of silt- at the weir was due to this fact, and until adequate lifting gear was erected there would always be trouble with silt and debris at the intake culverts ; the existing scour gate on the sand trap was far too small to deal effectively with the considerable quantity of rubbish brought down by the river in flood time. He urged that no further time be lost before the neces-

sary lifting gear was installed. Due to faulty primary fuse protection two transformers were burnt out during the recent severe storms—one 5 k.v.a. on the Te Nanni Road and one 5 k.v.a. on the Main South Road. Two

10 k.v.a. transformers had been purchased for stock and three- bumt-out units sent away for rewinding. The new transformer cost £9O and the- renil iroi POO REVENUE FIGURES.

‘ Revenue- for May, with that for the same month of the previous year in

parentheses, was: Lightning, £4OO 17s lid (£363 19s lOd); industrial motors, £lO2 17s 8d (£125 17s 3d); milking motors, £42 15s (£4O 12s) ; water heaters, £2O 17s 6d (£l7 10s) ; stoves, £sl 7s (£33 12s 10 d); street lights, £l2 6s 8d (£ll 13s 4d); penalties, £l2 Os 6d (£ll 8s sd); totals, £643 2s 3d (£604 13s 8d).

In view of the proposed canvass for more consumers, the secretary stated that last year’s revenue shewed a return of 10.5 per cent on capital, 2.4 d per unit, and £28.7 per kilowatt of maximum demand. While these figures may be considered satisfactory, especially in view the hoard’s policy of reticulating only roads which could show a- return of 10 per cent on capital expenditure, some roads in the district were not at present returning 10 per cent, and it would seem advisable- to concentrate- on these roads first. Total consumers at present numbered 1167. To illustrate how the connected load rate plus a graduated meter charge worked out in a meter the secretary submitted figures for the past year: Milking motors, revenue ner unit, 3.8 d; industrial motors, 2d; lighting, etc.. 5.5 d; lighting (streets), 1.8 d; water heaters, id; stoves, 2d.

GENERAL. During the violent storms experienced during the month the new staff organisation had worked very smoothly, the staff keeping iu close touch with the secretary’s, office and the engineer, all the breaks during the storms being attended to and rectified in the one dav.

Some time ago a committee was set up to go into planting and beautifying the lake surroundings, but owing to various causes nothing was done, and the secretary recommended that the matter be taken up. For the whole work to he done or attempted to be lone at once would entaiT too great expense,, but this work could he systematically proceeded with. Hfe- suggested that the committee should go into the matter and prepare a report. The report was adopted, -members congratulating the secretary on its comprehensive nature. The Local Government Loans Board notified approval of the hoard’s application for sanction to raise a special rating area, supplementary loan of £2200 for the purpose, among others, of completing reticulation. The term was- not to exceed 20 years, nor the interest 6 per cent. Th“e chairman reported that- he had deemed it advisable to visit Wellington with the secretary in connection with the raising of the loan. They had been successful in placing the loan with the Public Trust Office, and- the money would be available almost immediatelv.

The necessary formal resolutions in connection with the raising of the- loan were passed.

It was stated that the hoard’s undertaking had now been brought to such a successful stage that it would be no longer necessary to retain the services of the consulting engineer (Air. Toogood), and it was decided to notify Air. Toogood accordingly. Afcmbers spoke in. eulogistic terms of the excellent services rendered by Air. Toogood. who had always given the scheme his careful and .prompt attention.

At the request of residents near the corner of Gisborne- Terrace and Havelock Street, the Town Board asked that the lamp pole there should he moved to the corner or the lamp moved to the pole a-ros-s Gisborne Terrace. The hoard left'the matter to the engineer, giving him power to act.

The transport committee’s recommendation that the hoard purchase a one-ton truck to replace the present transport plant was adopted.