INCREASED USE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 297, 13 November 1934, Page 4

INCREASED USE

POAVER BOARD ELECTRICITY. A COMPARATIVE STATEAIENT. General increases in the consumption of electricity were recorded in a return submitted to the AlanawatuOroua Power Board for the six months ended September 30 by the managingsecretary (Air K. AV. Eglinton) at tho monthly meeting yesterday. The cost of' power for the period Was £17,660, compared with £16,880 in tho corresponding months of 1933, an increase of £7BO. Aleanwhile revenue received was £40,215 Is 6d, compared with £37,163 8s 7d, an increase of £3,051 12s lid.

A comparative statement of the units metered was made as follows: Light and step rate 481,060 501,214 4.13 Cooking & heating 780,608 830,724 6.4 Power—

8,912,003 9,813,415 “From the figures it will be noticed that the consumption lias increased under all headings, representing an increase in revenue of £3051 12s lid, whereas the cost of power has only increased by £790,” stated the manag-ing-secretary. “For the first six months of last year the consumption represented an increase of £778 on the previous year, and the cost of power increased by £960. From this it can he seen that there has been a general increase in the use of electricity over a longer period, but it has not increased the board’s maximum demand to any great extent.”

“I think we can congratulate ourselves on the progress made,” commented the chairman (Air C. G. C. Dermer), who added that the board's revenue was about £4500 better than at the corresponding period of last year.

Air AI. A. Eliott said the greater part of this, some £3OOO, could be attributed to savings in interest charges. The chairman agreed that part of the better position was attributable to this.

The chief engineer (Air AV. A. AVaters) said the increase of over 50,000' units in electricity for cooking and heating, where economy had in the past been mostly practised, was the most gratifying feature. It could he comfortably carried without increasing the peak load, and gave a better diversity. Increased use of wireless installations had brought about increased electricity consumption which did not affect the peak load. The question of the installation of condensers on milking motors was referred to the executive to deal with early next year, Air N. Campbell commenting that he failed to see why farmers should bear the cost of these when they were really for the board’s benefit.

Ino. 1933. 1934. p.c. Industrial .... 187,493 199,038 6.1 Milking .... 254,785 294,876 10.5 Freezing works .. .... 418,880 903,743 115.7 Bulk supply ....6,696,000 6 i,889,300 2.8 .Night rato .... 93,177 94,020 .9