HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 November 1935, Page 8

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

NOVEMBER MEETING. The monthly meeting of the HoroW’henua Electric Power Board was held in the Bo'ard’s room on Tuesday morning. Those present were: Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), A. E. Hyde, W. Barber, T. G. Vincent, J. K. HornMow, C. S. Keedwell, H. Richards and Messrs J. A. Smith (engineer) and E. J. Ramsay (treasurer). Leave of absence was granted Mr F. W, Viekerman and Mr A. Seifert.

APPRECIATION OF DONATION.

The Foxton Horticultural Society •wrote thanking the Board for its donation of £1 Is and also for arranging the cooking demonstration.

Mr Hornblow said the Society were especially pleased with the electrical cooking which was carried out by Mrs W. R. Jack in a very able manner. These remarks were endorsed by Mr Batber. The letter was received and the Board decided to express its appreciation to Mrs Jack.

REQUEST FOR FURTHER POWER

The Palmerston North Hospital Board wrote enquiring for further power at the Otaki Sanatorium and Hospital for cooking purposes. The engineer submitted a report on the additional wiring and work required to give the extra power desired, together with a special rate. It was decided that the Chairman, Mr Keedwell, the engineer and secretary represent the Board to conclude the negotiations, GENERAL. It was decided to hold the next monthly meeting on Friday, December 20th. Seven hire purchase agreements for electrical ranges were completed. TREASURER’S REPORT. The Treasurer gave a statement of revenue earned for the period ended October 31st and showing the folioing increase on the corresponding period of last year:—■ Units. Amt. Domestic supply 01708 392 Commercial — Light and heating .... 5056 118 Power 208597 1046 Water heating 129 Street lighting —2

Total 275961 1683 Less for discounts 158 Total £1525

From the above statement it will be seen that the net revenue for the .period was £25,422, an increase of £1525 over the same period last year. The revenue from domestic supply continues to be satisfactory, and shows an advance of 61,708 in units and £392 in revenue. Commercial lighting and heating is up to £llß. Power sales have increased by £1046, while waterhealer sales are £129 ahead of last year. This latter is, of course, duo to the substantial number of waterheaters installed within the last few months. Altogether the , returns are satisfactory, particularly in view of the heavy concession given on domestic supply Sundry debtors: The amount owing at last balance was; Current accounts, £3653; hire purchase, £1980; total, £5633. The current accounts are down on last month by £164. Development Campaign: The sales campaign has proceeded steadily, the Kesults to date being the installation of 67 ranges and 43 waterheaters, .besides a number of smaller appliances. The cooking demonstration and display of appliances at Foxton should stimulate interest in that area, and it is proposed to follow this up with some newspaper advertising.

Depreciation Fund: I have to report that the Audit Office has now agreed to the suspension of payments to the above fund. This authority will be effective “until such time as the depre ciation fund is deemed by the Audit Office not to represent the full and proper provision for depreciation of the depreciable assets of the Board.” There is a further proviso that withdrawals from the fund must not be made for renewals total “exepnditure in that year is in excess of the depreciation charge which, but for the authority herein given, would have been charged in that year agaiusti the revenues of the undertaking, and then only the amount of that excess may Ibe charged against the Depreciation Fund.”

The report -was received. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer gave the following report covering the period since October 16th:

During the period 22 new service lines have been run, and extra phases run on 7 existing services. Forty-six poles have been fitted and erected and 305 chains of wire run. Short extensions to L.T. lines have been made at ier cables have been erected at Tasman ■'Beach. Additional wires on existing poles have been run at Makorua, Kawatiri, and Arapaepae Road. Heav--1 ier cables have been erected at Tasman Beach and Kawatiri. In conjunction with running heavier cable at Tasman Beach the opportunity to put some heavier poles at angles was taken. Owing to the excessive rains and flooding during the period a considerable amount of extra general maintenance has been necessary. One E.H.T. pole was washed cut at the Otaki River crossing, and an H pole had tc. vbc moved at Tokomaru River. A further E.H.T. pole was endangered by j the Waitohu stream, and an L.T. pole had to be moved back at Florida Road. Frequent inspections day and night

had to be made owing to the continual flooding of rivers and streams. Three transformers have been changed for inspection. Installations: During the period 24 •applications have been received from new consumers, and 48 for extensions to existing installations, included in which are 13 ranges, 6 stovettes, 7 waterheaters, 3 milking, 3 separating, 3 pumjpiug and 2 industrial motors. Twenty-nine new consumers, and 45 extensions have been connected comjprising 22 lighting and heating installations, 11 ranges, 18 waterheaters, 7 milking, 4 separator, 5 industrial and 0 pumping motors; making a total increase of 157.679 k.w.

General: At approximately 12.35 a.m. ‘on Thursday, 14th inst., a fire broke out in the rear portion of the main store at the depot, the alarm being given by a. porter at the railway station and the fire had then a very stro’ng hold, flames issuing from the roof at the back. The Brigade brought a lead across the ralway line from Oxford Street, and another from Make Mako Road, as there is not a water main along Prouse Road in front of the building. The inside of the store was gutted, leaving only a portion of the roof, some of the stock, and the store office at the front.

It was only by the combined efforts of the Brigade, and some of the slab {hat were present, that the fire was confined to the store, and that the garage, workshop and sub-station were undamaged, and 1 would like to mention that great credit is due to them jfor efficient and strenuous operations. There was m> interruption in tlic supply of electricity; but special precautions were taken for the safety. j>i.d in the event of the fire spreading further.

As soon as the assessment of damego was completed, work was started in clearing out the building and sorting 'and salvaging the stock which is being stored in a temporary store in the enclosed yard.

We have not yet been able to ascertain the origin of the fire. Everything was in order inside in file early part of the evening, and from the outside, apparently both at 11.30 and midnight. The report was received.