WAITOMO POWER BOARD

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4800, 21 June 1939, Page 5

WAITOMO POWER BOARD

WHAREPAPA DISTRICT SUPPLY. DIRECT FROM ARAPUNI? The monthly meeting of the Waitomo Power Board was held in the Board’s offices at Te Kuiti on Monday, Mr. J. N. Boddie presiding over Messrs. W. A. Lee, E. P. Gorton, W. S. Cato, W. Bluck, C. S. Brook, V. W. Simms, the secretary, Mr. Seeker, and the engineer, Mr. Davidson. The Auckland Education Board wrote asking if the Board was still prepared to loan electrical appaiatus to the Otorohanga school.

It was explained that £65 worth of equipment was now loaned to the le Kuiti school for instruction purposes, and it was decided that the Board loan equipment to the value of about £65 to the Otorohanga school. When a letter was received from the Public Works Department stating that, after investigation, it was prepared to supply the Wharepapa district direct from Arapuni, considerable discussion ensued over the possibilities of the reticulation of this area, which the Board has the right to reticulate as the result of an agreement with the Te Awamutu Board.

The engineer said that, though this second source of supply would be of 11,000 volts, it would not be possible to link it to the existing system, though some of the lines in the northeastern corner «of the Board s area might be isolated from the Hangatiki power and linked direct to Arapuni. He felt that the possibilities warranted investigation.

Mr. Simms said the propostion warranted a full investigation, especially as extending the lines from the Seafund Settlement would be very expensive.

On Mr. Brook’s motion it was decided that the engineer make a preliminary visit to the district, and that after that the chairman and officers confer with the Public Works Department in Hamilton on the terms on which the power would be available and report back to the Board. The engineer reported that a Mr. Telfar, on the proposed Barton’s block line, had signed his guarantee, and it would be possible to supply him independent of the others. His line was approved. The Native Department wrote concerning E. J. Barton’s section, asking that the line be constructed. Mr. Simms, the engineer and the secretary were appointed a committee to endeavour to reach some finality on the matter of the Barton’s Block line.

On the engineer’s recommendation it was decided to purchase two transformers, a static condenser, and 100 hardwood poles at a total cost of £SOO.

The peak load for the current quarter was 1510 k.v.a., as compared with 1241 k.v.a. for the corresponding quarter of last year.

The power line extension at Whawharua was completed last week. The periodical testing of earth connections on the reticulation was being carried out. Reinspection work was being carried out at the rate of about 20 installations per week. A number of enquiries were being received for shed installations for next season.