POWER RETICULATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 10

POWER RETICULATION.

ENGINEERING SURVEY. At the monthly meeting of the Dannevirke Power Board, yesterday, Mr F. 0. Devlin, the engineer, reported that this week it is hoped to complete the new 11,000 volt line which has been constructed in Kumeti Road from Rua Ava Road to the Tamaki factory. This is the first instalment of a scheme to provide duplicate lines and equipment to the .district and, when completed, will reduce “outrages” to a minimum. “The route of the section from the main sub-station to Kumeti Road has been pegged and after consultation with property-owners the line will be constructed. The obsolete, light 6600 volt line, which has caused a fair amount of trouble during past years will then be dismantled,” the engineer added. “Owing to extremely bad weather and illness amongst the staff, the construction of service lines and new lines has been seriously hampered, but arrears will be rapidly undertaken when the main gang can be released from the Tamaki line. The change-over has necessitated a number of daily shut downs affecting consumers in the Te Rehunga and Kiritaki districts. To these consumers, and to the management of the Kiritaki factory, we express thanks for their consideration. The electrical installation in the Tamaki factory is now well in hand and should be completed within the coming week. Applications have already been made for over 40 new service lines for all classes of loading, chiefly for farm motors and ranges. “As in the past practically the bulk of the storm damage was done by snow laden branches of trees falling across the lines and breaking them. Until pressure is brought to bear upon settlers to trim and cut their trees near to power lines faults of this nature will be an annual recurrence. The cost to the board has been approximately £200,” stated the engineei. “Good progress lias been made in the survey and pegging of proposed new < lines which are to be constructed with- ' in the very near future. Plans are J being drawn for a new terminal struc- * ture at Rua Roa, and tenders have 1 been called for controlling 11,000 volt T cubicles. The route of a new main line I to supply the Dannevirke Borough' is € being surveyed and pegged, and plans a will shortly be in readiness to submit t to the Public Works Department for £ approval. An early start is to be made '

on the survey of a new line to supply a lime works, which is to be established at the Manawatu Gorge.” The engineer, in reply to Mr H. PHorne, stated that the new line from Rua Roa was necessary owing to the load in Dannevirke increasing by leaps and bounds.-

Mr A. England said that some settlers were concerned that the line might be constructed during the hay season and interfere with their crops. The engineer replied that the line would not be built until he had consulted the property-owners. It was very difficult to run a line through property without upsetting somebody. The chairman gave an assurance that the board would meet the propertyowners as reasonably as possible. The engineer reported that the consumers in the board’s area for the past month totalled 3035, compared with 2945 for the corresponding period last year, comprising Woodville Borough 366 (356) and Woodville County 414 (409). A Dannevirke shopkeeper wrote complaining of the rates charged in _ the business area. The chairman explained that the complaint was the outcome of the decision to ask consumers dwelling in shops, and who, were getting the benefit of the domestic lighting rate, to split their wiring to enable them to come on the domestic rate so far as the lighting of the dwelling portion of their premises was concerned, or else come on the whole of tbh commercial rate.

n In reply to a question, the secrel® tary (Mr T. H. Pickard) said this was 7 the' only complaint. The balance-sheet for the year ended March 31 was returned certified as d correct. The chairman said this was very satisfactpry. A member remarked that it was a good record.