ELECTRIC POWER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER

HOROWHENUA BOARD. Those present at the monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board, held at Levin this week, were Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), W. E. Barber, T. G. Vincent, J. K. Hornblow, D. Richards. A. E. Hyde, C. S. Keedwell, F. W. Vickerinan, and A. Seifert. In reference to tire request of the Hutt County Council for a reduction in the power rate for pumping water at Paraparamnu beach, the engineer reported that one pump had been tested and the cost was equal to 2fd per 1000 gallons, and when the two pumps were working the cost was 2.72 d per 1000 gallons. Further, the pumping work was definitely done on all peak loads. Mr Vickerman expressed the hope that some small reduction would be made. Mr Iveedwell considered the rate a cheap one ns some were paying as much as Gd and 8d for power to pump water. On the motion of the chairman the communication was received and it was decided to advise the council that the board could not see its way to make any reduction in tlie rate at the present time. The Shannon Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club wrote asking if . the hoard could make a donation towards the electricity cooking prizes at a forthcoming show.—The chairman stated that he took it tire club was desirous of completing its schedule and he asked the secretarv to intimate that the board would give 10s 6d. On the motion of Mr Richards this action was endorsed.

Mr Vickerman raised the question of the liability, of the hoard in the event of one of its vehicles meeting with an accident when a person, being given a lift in it, suffered injury. He asfced if tlie board had an insurance cover.—The chairman replied that the board had no insurance cover over such a claim, but employees were not permitted to allow people to ride in l>oard vehicles. It was considered that there may be -a risk and the lhatter was referred to the finance committee.

Prior to the meeting, the finance committee met and as a result recommended that £IO,OOO new loan money be raised for capital works in hand and for those in sight. Tlie chief of these were the new sub-station at Paraparamnu and the construction of a private telephone line. —Adpoted. The treasurer reported that the increased business was as follows, the number of units being given first and the monetary return increase second: —Domestic lighting and heating, all electric rate, 29,765, £243; commercial lighting, 5729, £109; heating. 1, £l3; power, 121,981, £609; waterheatf/s, £B4; totals, 157,474, £1058; less discount, £7O; total, £9BB. “The net revenue for the period was £17,243,” the report continued. “The increase over last year -was 157,474 in units and £9BB in revenue. Under the heading of domestic lighting and heating, it is pleasing to see that despite the reductions given the revenue has advanced by £243. There has now been a complete reading in the whole district since the new rate came into force, and practically all accounts showing a saving, changed to_ that rate. The worst period in the introduction of tho rate has thus been passed; the worst for two reasons—firstly that, the last reading was the heaviest for lighting, which, of course, shows the greatest reduction on die new rate, and secondly that the benefit from increased consumption as a result of lowered charges was only beginning to be felt. Wo shall, however, have to wait for a considerable time before we can say with certainty just what the effect has been. In tlie meantime, it does appear that new consumers, plus increased consumption, will go a long way towards balancing the concession in charges. Next month tho half-yearly statement of income and expenditure will be placed before members. The total of sundry debtors’ accounts at the last balance were: Current accounts' £3814, hire purchase £lsll, total £5325. The current accounts are down by £238 on last month. Four consumers were disconnected for non-payment of accounts.” —The report was adopted. The engineer gave the following report covering the period since August 14:—“Nineteen new service lines were run, extra phases run on 11 existing services, and 1 service line altered and made heavier. Twenty-seven poles have been carted out, fitted arid erected and 398 chains of wire have been run. Short extensions to existing low tension lines have been made at Kawatiri, Rangiuru, and Tokomaru. Heavier grade cables have been run on Potts Iloatl, Paraparaumu Beach Road, and Convent Road, Otaki. The changing to heavier wires on Queen Street West and Weranoa 'Road, north of Queen Street, lias been completed. A section of the telephone line has been built at Manakau, and the hut erected and direct communication between Manakau and Levin is in operation, and it is expected to have the telephone line completed to the Otaki sub-station by the end of the week. Twenty-eight applications have been received from new consumers, and 47 for extensions to existing installations, included in which are 18 ranges, 14 waterheaters, 5 brooders, 6 milking, 4 separator and 8 industrial motors. Eighteen new consumers and 36 extensions have been connected, comprising 12 lighting and heating installations, 12 ranges, 11 waterheaters, 10 milking and separator motors and 5 industrial motors; making a total increase of 15,299 k.w. I ask for authority to purchase, against quotations being received, 195 poles of various sizes at an approximate cost of £B7O. A number of these poles will be required in connection with the second point of supply at Paraparaumu Valley, and some for the branch line to the Otaki Sanatorium.”—The report was adopted.