ELECTRIC POWER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 160, 22 June 1932, Page 5

ELECTRIC POWER

THE H.B. BOARD MONTHLY MEETING HELD. QUESTION OF BULK SUPPLY. The monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board was held in Napier yesterday afternoon, when there were present. Messrs T. E. Crosse (chairman) W. Harvey, A. Hobson, E. J. Herrick, R. Harding, L. J. Harvey, S. Ashcroft, C. C. Smith, M. S. Chambers and H. Hill. Bulk Supply Charges In connection with bulk supply charges the Electric Power Boards’ Association advised that the matter had been discussed with Mr Kissell, chief electrical engineer, who did not hold out any hope for any alteration in the system of charging. The association wrote that in the meantime the executive had decided to approach the Minister and lay the position before him. Country Street Lights In connection with street lighting in the Hawke’s Bay county, the clerk of the Hawke’s Bay County Council wrote asking the board to reconsider its decision of not giving a reduction in tariff charges. The chairman pointed out that the lighting cost the board £175 per annum while the revenue only amounted to £2OO, in which wits included the board’s risk in having to renew lamps. He did not think that, any reduction could be made, as the estimates would not admit of reductions in charges taking place.

Requests were received from certain settlers that the board should not collect the guarantees due for consumption for the year ending March 31, 1932. Air Smith pointed out that the board at its last meeting decided to suspend the guarantees. Other power boards, ho said, had decided to suspend guaran tees on country lines, and were meeting farmers by reducing the cost of current for milking machines from 3d to lid per unit. Without impairing the board’s revenue the board should give its consumers every consideration. The chairman stated as the result of the earthquake several settlers were unable to occupy their homes for several months, with the result that cur rent was not consumed for that period. A settler at Pukahu asked if the board could make any reduction in the charges for current for freezing motors in view of the fact that he could operate a Diesel engine much below the cost now charged by the board.

The matter was referred to the secretary and engineer to report to the board. An increase of 12 consumers was reported for the month, making a total of 2480 to date.

The engineer (Air H. L. Benjamin) reported that eighteen new service lines had been completed and an extension carried out to give supply to the Aero Club’s buildings on the Westshore embankment.